Stock Explosion

In light of the recession ski reservations fell last winter.

Even with acceptable early on sales and brilliant snow conditions.

These reductions in numbers follows seven winters of sequential growth within the skiing industry, and the numbers decreased from 1.25. 1.3 million two seasons ago to under a million last year.

This is partly due to snowboarders giving the season a miss, and additional holiday makers who’d typically have 2 snowboarding holidays, only took the one.

Sales for the independent travel sector fell by 15% with a few low cost airlines reducing the no. of airplanes to several destinations.

Tour operators also saw their bookings reducing by about the same amount.

Notwithstanding, the top operators share of the market continued at 70% and the French Alps remained the top ski destination with 37% of holidays.

Due to this several large tour operators slashed the no. of luxury ski chalets they lease this coming season.

Catered ski chalets will witness a reduction in no.s as a catered ski chalet costs more for the tour operator with regards to chefs and hosts and rent if it is not occupied.

It remains unlikely we will benefit from the deals which were around last winter.

Whilst costs are probably going to to rise, they are unlikely to rise considerably.

Next winter doubtless presents serious problems for the ski industry which is impacted by the consequences of the down turn, weakness of the pound, high costs of fuel and large fixed costs for ski companies.

This year vacationers will be progressively price aware, which will contribute to an about face of the recent years which witnessed a development in independent travel.

Big ski tour operators could foreseeable re gain the ground lost to the independent skiing sector if they are able to use their buying power to wrangle better costs and give these savings to customers as attractive deals.

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