Partly Due to the down Turn Numerous Snowboarding Operators Will Be Slashing Their Amount of Catered Chalets
Because of the credit crunch skiing holiday sales went down last winter.
Even with strong early on sales coupled with excellent snow fall.
This drop in numbers follows seven winters of development in the skiing industry, and the number of vacationers came down from 1.15 million two years ago to less than a million last winter.
Partly due to holiday makers giving the season a miss, while additional holiday makers who would typically take 2 skiing breaks, just took the one.
Sales for the independent travel sector fell by 15% with a handful no frills airlines cutting the no. of routes to some cities.
However tour operators saw their numbers reducing by about the same amount.
However, the top companies share of the market stayed at 71% and the Alps in France carried on as the most visited skiing destination with about 37% of the skiing market.
Due to this several large ski operators cut the number of chalets they lease this winter.
Catered ski chalets in particular are going to witness a reduction in holiday makers due to the fact that a luxury catered ski chalet incurs more costs in terms of employees and lease when it is empty.
It’s unlikely therefore we shall benefit from the last minute special offers that were available last season.
Whilst costs are likely to rise, costs are unlikely to go up substantially.
The next winter without doubt presents grievous challenges for an industry that is affected by the events of the credit crunch, exchange rate pressures, increased costs of fuel on top of large fixed costs for skiing businesses.
