Ski operators rejig Christmas and New Year programmes
Operators have been forced to rejig their Christmas and New Year ski programmes for next winter to avoid customers travelling on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Christmas Day falls on Sunday and New Year’s Eve is on a Saturday.
Inghams and sister brands Esprit and Ski Total have shifted their usual Saturday departures to Fridays during December and they’re offering an eight-day programme for guests arriving on December 30.
"The eight-day holiday will prove appealing," said head of purcharsing Harvey Gahl. "Our Christmas bookings are looking better than last year."
Crystal, the largest ski operator, has opted to keep its Saturday departures so guests will travel on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but it has moved its Sunday departures to Tuesdays during December.
"We only had a few Sunday departures so we’ve ended up with some Tuesday to Tuesday holidays for a few weeks," said TUI purchasing director Gordon Ritter.
"We did the same thing when Christmas Day last fell at the weekend. Whatever we do, Christmas is going to be tough."
Ritter said early indications were that sales were good, but he pointed out that Christmas has ceased to be a peak week. "It’s been a slow decline and I can see Christmas being a week when people see good value. Other source markets don’t treat Christmas as high season, it’s become a shoulder season week."
Ski Solutions said customers prepared to travel on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve should pick up some good deals this year. "They’re likely to be offered added value, such as free lift passes, as an incentive to book," said MD Craig Burton.
"My advice to clients would be to book the earliest flights so they’re in the resort nice and early on Christmas Eve and they’ll be home in time to celebrate on New Year’s Eve!"
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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