Inghams has introduced two new destinations by train for the 2024/5 ski season and two new resorts in Italy and Switzerland to its walking programme, in addition to adding Norway to its walking and ski range next summer and winter respectively.
The operator also announced additional three and four-night short break options for Inghams Lapland this year as it held a party to celebrate its 90th birthday.
Managing director John Mansell said Morzine and Avoriaz were being added to Inghams’ rail programme, making a third of all of the ski resorts it features now reachable by train.
Madonna di Campiglio in Italy and Nendaz in Switzerland are being added to the operator’s walking programme, while the resorts of Bergen, Voss, Balestrand, Flam and Aurland in Norway will be new for summer walking in 2025 and ski in 2025/6.
Mansell said he was “excited” to launch Norway, offering customers a new experience where they can be “at the top of a mountain looking down into a stunning fjord”. He added the destination was an important addition for skiers as climate change makes some resorts further south less snow-sure.
Mansell said investment in technology was also taking place to enhance Inghams customers’ experience on holiday, including curating new content for its digital welcome pack web app.
This includes 500 new guided walks and advice on what to do in resort, with more content being added in time for this winter.
The operator’s in-resort teams will also now “reach out to customers” three to four weeks before their holiday to reduce the need for too many welcome meetings.
Mansell also updated guests at the celebration on Inghams’ drive to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, following its signing of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
He said the operator was “working closely with its hotel partners, managing its ethical consumption and doing everything we can to protect the mountains and resorts at risk, and the ski industry and communities we love”.
Mansell also hinted at an imminent announcement on an initiative to increase its use of SAF this winter.
“We were one of the first tour operators to add SAF to flights on top of what the government regulations dictate, so look out for news coming soon,” he said.
Mansell added that Inghams’ parent company Hotelplan had given £1.5million to Klimate and ReWilding Britain last year and was working hard to encourage customers and staff to choose train travel wherever possible.
“We are committed to a sustainable future,” he said. “It’s not just about profit anymore, we must consider the impact we are having on our destinations, communities, nature and the planet – and work to preserve and protect them for the long term.”