S&A 3-4 sep26 23/9/08 10:44 Page 85
ttglive.com
ski market knowledge
talk back
tspots
IAN WIDDOWSON Although people may be looking for late
director, Beaver Travel, Moray deals, we are already seeing Scottish
The economic climate is clearly having an departures beginning to fill up and those local
effect on ski booking trends as well as summer departures are key for this market.
holidays, and we’re seeing more late bookings Dynamic packaging has been a key part of
this year than ever before. ski bookings for some time – largely because
We fully expect to see customers coming in customers are increasingly confident booking
next January or February looking for Easter their own accommodation
deals, and it comes down to whether they are but tend to come to us
confident they can find something at that stage. to fix their travel.
While the established destinations remain In light of
strong, we are definitely seeing people looking everything that’s
away from the eurozone, so Switzerland is happened recently,
doing well and Bulgaria is definitely on the up. we’re making sure
Flight prices and supplements to North that they are completely
America are an issue, but the value that aware of when they are
customers get when they’re out there means protected if they decide to
it has been performing well. go down that route.
the slopes,” says a spokeswoman. “In stresses the good value these non-euro desti-
Europe, the demand is strongest for high, nations offer.
snow-sure resorts and quality accommoda- “An evening meal costs under £10 per per-
tion, especially for five-star-plus properties.” son, with a bottle of beer just £1,” he adds.
One of the big hopes for the season is the One destination that has lost significant
Spanish resort of Formigal (pictured) in the market share recently is Andorra. Its move
Pyrenees, which has been introduced upmarket has yet to catch on with skiers.
by Neilson, Crystal and Thomson. Crystal’s Richard Sills adds: “Andorra has
Andy Harmer, Neilson’s head of become more expensive recently with the
product and planning, says: opening of several four-star resorts. Skiers
“Formigal has been around for have yet to get used to this although these
quite a while but there’s been lots new spa resorts are good value for money.”
of investment with new lift systems. While the winter sports market continues
There’s a huge amount of skiing, to be dominated by package operators, the
particularly for intermediate and DIY sector is slowly gaining a foothold. The
trade down. But there’s no sign advanced skiers.” sector has, however, been hit by some no-
of it happening yet and we have Other destinations tipped for frills airlines cutting capacity to ski gateways.
increased our programme in the Crystal success include the Finnish Lapland Companies such as Ski Extras, part of the
Finest brochure.” resorts of Yllas and Levi, which are Online Travel Group, offer components such
Inghams is equally confident that ski sales expected to be popular with families. as accommodation, ski hire, lift passes, car
to European destinations will hold up this Destinations outside the eurozone, such rental, insurance and transport.
winter despite the UK’s economic woes. as Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania, could And Medhotels has this year become the
“Skiers are passionate about their winter also see increased sales. Chris Rand, sales latest bed bank to offer ski product, following
holidays and they will continue to head to and marketing manager at Balkan Holidays, the likes of Holiday Brokers and Lowcostbeds.
Skihoppa.com now serving over 150
new resorts from 38 gateways
• New for this winter – USA & Canada
• Transfers from Eurostar and
Snow Train Stations
We take you the extra mile
• Reliable and low-cost shuttle & private
transfers available
• Prices start from £18.20 one-way
for more information and prices, please visit us at
www.skihoppa.com
26.09.2008 85
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104