Last night, the Swiss Museum of Transport celebrated the change of directors. From 1st March 2026, Lucerne’s Martin Ettlinger will take over the leadership of Switzerland's most visited museum. The current executive board member and head of market and development knows the institution well and stands for continuity and further development.
The official celebration for the director change took place last evening at the Swiss Museum of Transport. Last year, the board had already elected Martin Ettlinger, the 50-year-old from Lucerne, as the new director through a publicly advertised process. From 1st March 2026, he will lead Switzerland’s most visited museum and be responsible for its strategic and operational development.
Martin Ettlinger has been a member of the executive board since 2021, most recently leading the market and development sector. With his appointment, the museum opts for a leadership figure from within its ranks who knows the museum, its partners, and the environment well, and who has contributed to shaping the corporate strategy.
Experience at the intersection of media, culture, and administration
The legal expert has experience at the junction of media, culture, administration, and business. His previous roles led him, among other places, to the Swiss Federal Customs Administration, where he worked as a section chief for national and international affairs and built a broad network within federal administration. Prior to this, he represented the interests of the Canton of Lucerne in Bern. His professional career began in the media sector with Swiss Radio and Television as well as the Swiss Media Association, where he served as legal consultant and member of the executive board.
Vision for the Future of the Museum of Transport
Martin Ettlinger articulates his focus clearly: “The great sailing ship of the Museum of Transport is guided by its three content masts: past, present, and future.” We are the most relevant platform for mobility themes in Switzerland and as one of the world’s leading institutions, we consistently advance our approach to playful learning. Our ambition: We want to inspire everyone with technology and mobility.
Recognition of Martin Bütikofer's Achievements
Martin Ettlinger is taking over from Martin Bütikofer, who shaped the Museum of Transport for 16 years and will retire at the end of February 2026. During this time, the museum consistently evolved and strengthened its position as an important place of experience, education, and encounter. New offerings like the Swiss Chocolate Adventure, the Media World, or the “House of Energy” expanded the museum’s profile and set significant thematic accents. With over a million visits last year, this successful development is also reflected in visitor numbers.
Contact
Swiss Museum of Transport
Beatrice Rüttimann
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: 041 375 74 72
Tel: 079 622 00 37
beatrice.ruettimann@verkehrshaus.ch
www.verkehrshaus.ch