Because of the Depression Several Ski Businesses Will Be Reducing Their Amount of Luxury Catered Chalets
In light of the credit crunch snowboarding reservations went down this season.
Even with excellent pre season sales coupled with great snow fall.
These drops in holidaymakers follows 6 years of continuous growth within the ski industry, and the number of snowboarders decreased from 1.15 million two winters ago to 950000 last ski season.
Perhaps due to skiers giving their annual ski break a miss, and other skiers who would usually have two or more snowboarding trips, just had one.
The independent travel sector fell by 15% and some cheap airlines reducing the amount of routes to certain destinations.
Moreover tour operators saw their sales decreasing by a similar 15%.
All the same, the top six operators share of the market stayed at 72% and the French Alps retained its position as the favorite ski destination with around 37% of ski holidays.
This meant that a lot of ski operators slashed the amount of catered chalets they rent this winter.
Catered ski chalets especially will witness a a drop in clients due to the fact that a luxury catered chalet costs the operator more with regards to staff and lease when it is unoccupied.
It is unlikely therefore that we shall find the last minute special offers which were up for grabs this winter.
Prices for skiing holidays will go up, prices are unlikely to increase substantially.
The 2009/10 season presents real challenges for the skiing industry that is impacted by the results of the credit crunch, exchange rate pressures, soaring fuel costs and large fixed operating costs for skiing companies.
