All-inclusive operator Mark Warner is building a new property in the Austrian resort of Zell am See for winter 2014-15 as it sees a rebound in the ski market.
The Mountain Lake Resort, consisting of 34 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, plus two penthouses, will open in December, and is featured in the operator’s new 2014-15 brochure (pictured) that agents will receive next week.
Tim Locke, Mark Warner’s sales and marketing director, said the investment in the property would help grow the operator’s and agents’ ski business.
He told Travel Weekly: “After being flat for several years, the ski market is starting to turn a corner.
“Trade is still the backbone of our ski business and continues to grow – it is up two percentage points year‑on‑year, now making up 25% of our total business, which is about 18,000 passengers.
“We have a great relationship with the ski specialists and have been working to bring on other agents with our ‘learn to ski’ fams.”
Mark Warner will have hosted five trade fam trips to the slopes by the end of the current winter season and is planning at least three for its summer resorts this year, including a mega-fam to Sardinia and Corsica in May.
Mark Warner is also seeking to reach more independent agents through the Truly Independent Professional Travel Organisation (Tipto), which it recently joined.
Agency sales executive Lizzie Edwards said: “Tipto will provide a great platform for us to reach new areas of the trade as well as furthering our relationship with agents we already work with.”
Mark Warner has also spent €3 million refurbishing its Chalet Hotel Aiguille Percee in Tignes.
The 2013 Crystal Ski report showed growth for the first time in four years. The annual report revealed operators and the independent travel sector experienced a 1% rise in sales of ski packages.