News

Ski growth is slowing, says Crystal Holidays report

The number of Britons taking a skiing holiday last winter rose for the sixth year, but at a slower pace than in 2005/06, according to Crystal Holidays’ 2007 Ski Industry Report.

France is still Britain’s favourite ski destination – just over 37% of UK skiers chose to ski there, well ahead of nearest rivals Austria on 19% and Italy at 13.8%.

Crystal remains the largest ski operator, but its market share was slightly down at 23.4%, followed by Inghams and Thomson.

Crystal product and marketing director Gareth Crump said: “France benefits from the popularity of the chalet and club hotel product and its high-altitude resorts. Austria lost out because its low-lying resorts suffered from poor snowfall.”

Crump said there was a solid start to 2007/08 sales, but forecast high fuel costs, security concerns and memories of poor snow at the start of last season making this winter a challenge.

Other operators remain optimistic about this season. Mark Warner said bookings were already up 10% across its European resorts – and that last year was one of the best ever, due to its high-level, snow-sure resorts.

Inghams also said winter 2007/08 was looking promising, with bookings for many areas ahead of last year. Chief executive Litsa Constantinou said: “We expect growth in many of the popular destinations and also that the trend for people taking multiple ski holidays will continue.”

For Neilson, high-altitude and snow-sure resorts are selling particularly well. Head of product and planning Andy Harmer commented: “Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish resorts are proving attractive, as are the Canadian resorts, which enjoyed fantastic snow last winter.”

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.