24 October 2008

Independent ski sector growth slows

The total UK snow sports market grew by three per cent this year with more than 1.35 million taking wintersports holidays from the UK.

The Ski Club of Great BritainÃ¢â¬â¢s annual Snowsports Analysis shows that the independent snow sports market grew year on year.

But the level of growth has slowed compared to previous seasons to just over three per cent compared to just under 10% in the previous year.

In contrast, the tour operator market saw three per cent growth year on year, the largest percentage growth since 2001/02.

The report suggests that skiers looking for the convenience of a package holiday and no-frills airlines reducing their flights may have attributed to the growth of the tour operator market and the slowed growth of the independent market.

The report shows that the average cost of a snow sports holiday has risen, going from Ã&#pound;648 in 2006/07 to Ã&#pound;664 in 2007/08.

Increased fuel charges, a poor exchange rate between the Pound and Euro and less discounting due to good snowfalls may all have been factors in this increase.

France remains the market leader as a ski destination, taking 43% of the market.

Countries that lost market share include Andorra and Bulgaria whose market share fell by 1%.

The number of people booking their holiday over the internet has risen by two per cent as operators and transport companies offer more sophisticated on-line booking facilities and people continue to use the internet as a holiday research tool.

The catered chalet maintains its dominance in the UK snow sports market with a 37% share of the market.

Skiers make up 78% of the market and snowboarders 17%.

The analysis also looks at the increase in visitors to the Scottish resorts, reporting increased visitor numbers across all resorts. Glenshee saw the biggest rise with a 360% rise in the number of skier days.

Ski Club CEO Caroline Stuart-Taylor said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe are not surprised that the overall snowsports market has risen again after an excellent snow year and the continued resilience of the snow sports market.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœSkiers and boarders seem to be turning to the internet to research and book their holidays and donÃ¢â¬â¢t seem to be deterred by increased prices.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœI think the UK snow sports industry is right to be positive about the state of the market and even though there are tough times ahead, with the positive feeling from an increase in people hitting the slopes, both overseas and in Scotland, we can hope for another good winter season in 2008/09.Ã¢â¬~

by Phil Davies