Club Med’s UK boss says the all-inclusive ski resort operator is in a “better position” financially than other travel companies because of the sector’s resilience and the timing of the virus becoming a pandemic.
In an interview with Travel Weekly, UK and northern Europe managing director Estelle Giraudeau said quarantine restrictions on France were a “major concern” but that she hoped they would be relaxed in time for the main ski season.
She said that, as the month progressed: “We might see the [UK] government play with restrictions but in a more sensible way than a blanket quarantine [on individual countries].”
More: Interview: ‘Ski is more resilient than other markets’, says Club Med boss
Giraudeau accepted Club Med had taken a hit along with the rest of the travel industry but said the timing of the pandemic was fortunate for the ski specialist.
“In March, the most important part of the ski season was achieved,” she said. “So we entered the crisis from a strong financial position. Others who are sun dependent didn’t have that.
“Next winter will be an important one, but so far we are in a better financial position [than other travel firms]. For the short-term ski will be the most resilient.”
And she insisted skiers were loyal and predicted they would return as long as they were able to travel.
Predicting a change in booking pattern with people “putting decisions on hold”, she said: “For advance level skiers we’ve seen a pattern that they like to go every year.
“We don’t think this will change [because of the pandemic] especially because a lot of people who were supposed to have gone this year were not able to.”
Giraudeau also confirmed Club Med will continue with its plans to open a resort in the Seychelles in December 2020, the same month its hopes to open its next resort in the French Alps, La Rosiere.
The brand’s first year-round mountain resort is due to open in Charlevoix, in Quebec, Canada, for the 2020-21 season, she added, and a series of new openings are also planned for 2021.
They include Exclusive Collection resorts in Alentejo, Portugal; and Lido, Venice; as well as 4T resorts with 5T Exclusive Collection spaces in Borneo, Malaysia; Thailand and South Africa as well as new ski resorts including Changbaishan, Lijiang and Thaiwoo, all in China.
More: Interview: ‘Ski is more resilient than other markets’, says Club Med boss