Thanks to the Depression a Lot of Skiing Operators Are Reducing Their Number of Luxury Catered Chalets
In light of the recession ski bookings fell this season.
In spite of excellent pre season reservations coupled with fantastic snow.
This reduction in skiers comes after 6 seasons of continuous growth within the snowboarding industry, and the numbers reduced from 1.2 million in 2008 to 850000 last ski season.
Perhaps due to holiday makers giving their annual snowboarding break a miss, and additional holiday makers who would usually take two skiing vacations, merely had one.
Sales for the independent travel sector fell by 15% and numerous low cost airlines slashing the number of airplanes to certain destinations.
Moreover tour operators also saw the reservations falling by 15%.
Notwithstanding, the top tour operators share remained at 72% and France retained its position as the top skiing destination with nearly 40% of the market.
This meant that several ski operators lowered the total number of ski chalets they run this year.
Catered ski holidays will surely witness a reduction in vacationers due to the fact that a luxury catered chalet costs more for the tour operator with regards to hosts and chefs and lease if it is not sold.
It remains unlikely we will witness the deals which were up for grabs this year.
Whilst prices are probably going to to augment, costs probably won’t go up considerably.
The 2009/10 winter undoubtedly poses serious issues for the ski industry that is influenced by the results of the recession, fall in the value of the pound, high costs of fuel and large fixed operating costs for ski businesses.
This year skiers will be progressively cost sensitive, this will add to a reversion of recent trends that saw a increase in independent travel.
