Report Claims 13.3% Drop In UK Ski Market Last Winter

Crystal Ski hit by recesssion?

The ski market fell by 13.3% overall across all sectors last season despite good early sales and excellent snow conditions according to the recently published Crystal Ski Industry Report 2009 from the UK's leading ski tour operator.

The Report is one of several British ski industry measures published each year. The Report amalgamates information from tour operators' own statistics, CAA published statistics, tourist office figures and travel agency feedback.

The fall follows seven successive years of growth and means the number of skiers travelling abroad fell from more than 1.22m in 2007/8 to just over 1m in 2008/9.

The report's authors believe the decline in numbers is due to some skiers giving the season a miss and others taking just one trip where they might previously take two or more.

However, there was one encouraging sign at least as the schools market remained stable with more than 140,000 young skiers taking to the slopes and memories of last season's great snow will have whet the appetite of many skiers to return.

[They allege that...] The independent travel sector was down by 15% to 327,000 skiers with some low cost carriers reducing their flight capacity to ski destinations.

The tour operator sector also saw their number decreasing by 15% to 597,000 skiers, partly due to fewer multiple trips, fewer new skiers and a shorter ski season.

The top six operators' market share remained stable at 73%. Crystal strengthened its market leadership by 0.1% to 24.3% and Inghams increased its share by 1.3% to 18.4%, both still comfortably ahead of the pack. Thomson's share fell by 1.1% and Neilson, who enjoyed a good season, added 0.7%. First Choice lost 1.3%, but is still ahead of Airtours who gained 0.4%.

France continues to be the most popular country despite seeing a slight decline of 0.5%, taking 37.0% share of holidaymakers last season. Switzerland, which benefits from higher resorts than its neighbour France, shows a steady share of 6%.

Austria and Italy increased market share by 1.8% and 1.1% respectively. Bulgaria also saw a small increase to 3.2% and the small countries sector grew by 0.5% reflecting the rise in popularity of Slovenia.

Despite good snowfalls, North America's share dropped by 1.4% due to Zoom's demise, other airlines reducing seat capacity and many skiers opting for what they perceived to be better value European resorts in the current economic climate. The Andorran ski resorts saw a further decline in visitors from a 2% fall last season to 5% which is attributed to its continuing attempt to reposition itself from a budget to quality destination. It also suffered from end of season capacity reductions from most operators.

"The 2009/10 season undoubtedly poses serious challenges for an industry that is impacted by the effects of the recession, exchange rate pressures, high fuel costs and high fixed costs for ski holiday companies. The Crystal Ski Industry Report finds strong evidence of chalet companies significantly reducing the numbers of properties for next winter leading to fewer holidays on offer." concludes the report.

Crystal's MD Mathew Prior said: "Winter 08/09 was a difficult year for the ski industry and 09/10 poses challenges for us all. Our research shows that the key is to inspire customers, remind them how fantastic a ski holiday is and create good value and compelling holidays. We know that in their hearts no skier wants to miss out on a season provided they can justify the expense. Creating transparently good value deals I see as the key to ensuring that as many as possible return to the slopes this coming season."

The above courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

J2Ski, the leading online destination for the Independent Skier, would like to reassure you that the Tour Operators will not be reducing the number of properties in The Alps! They may not be selling them but someone else will. J2Ski predict a good season for the independent traveler, with exceptional deals on accommodation.

J2Ski - through our Ski Accommodation Partners - offers a choice of tens of thousands of Ski Chalets, Apartments, Residences and Hotels throughout The Alps and beyond.

J2Ski will be (significantly) increasing the number of Accommodation Only Ski Deals that we offer; to browse and book, visit our Ski Accommodation and Ski Hotels sections today.

So, Crystal are going to create "transparently good value deals" to tempt travellers to use their company.

Makes you wonder what they were selling last winter? )

Additionally they reckon that the independent sector was down 15%. How do they arrive at that figure? I certainly don't discuss my travel plans with anyone counting stats*, and I expect that most folks who are fed up with the ritual abuse at UK airports and choose another travel method are not being counted :D

* Unless Crystal is monitoring J2ski :D

bandit wrote:Additionally they reckon that the independent sector was down 15%. How do they arrive at that figure?

I imagine they conduct extensive surveys of the skiers on Crystal transfer buses... :lol:

It's nonsense really - I can't see how more than about 25% of the trips we make could be identified as ski. We see and meet more and more skiers traveling independently each year - last season was no exception.

bandit wrote:* Unless Crystal is monitoring J2ski :D

I'm sure they are. :roll: :thumbup: (hi guys)

I guess they didn't have space to mention that our traffic was up 15%, and way ahead of theirs for the entire season. Pesky Independent Sector... no demand you see?

Doesn't take a genius to work out which sector is going to benefit from the chalets and apartments the TOs have decided not to fill. 8)

I bet we could have predicted some of the growth/decline. The countries like Austria and Italy, that have a strong customer/cost focus are growing. Switzerland has, of recent times become so.

I think it will take perhaps another two years, but France will also start to focus more on cost. Given the nation's admirable approach to transport/energy, it will be well placed to do so, ...... providing there is an attitude change.

We might start to see the independent airlines doing more in the way of transfer & accomodation link-ups, thus filling the void.

Also, I am not surprised by Inghams performance. All the Inghams reps that I know are strongly committed and professional.

I know that Crystal have pulled out of all Finland/Lapland resorts next year I can not think why as accomodation was always hard to find if you booked to late. Inghams will have greatly increased their Finland hols as they are now going to all the places that Crystal used to. The thing that Crystal used to miss out on is all their extra excursions. People used to book their hols through Crystal but book their extra excursions through Inghams, they were much cheaper.

The way forward "Independent Travel "

TO's 0 V 1 Independents

Might just be half time though :lol: :lol:

Despite the facts and figures from Crystal, I am yet to find a way of doing ANY of the tour op holidays I have had any cheaper. If you are comparing top whack brochure prices in places like Ischgl for example, I am sure you might be able to DIY it for less. However, some of the holidays I have taken have been less than the cost of the flights out there with the so called budget airlines at certain times.

As for Dave Mac's comments re the budget airlines, you seem to forget the Ryanair have just announced record losses and are now charging for absolutely everything on their flights in an attempt to reel back some of the money they have lost. I have no dount that Ryanair will never offer holiday packages. Easyjet on the other hand seem to have a particularly good business model, and you will be aware of the other companies within the Easy Group. I would not be surprised to see Stelios venturing into package holidays, in much the same way Jet2.com do.

BTW, are people aware that this summers flights are often being operated by 3rd party airlines, in an attempt by the main tour ops to keep costs down by selling routes to budget airlines desperate for business? For example, my son just came back from Crete and was supposed to fly with Thomas Cook. However, on the way out they went with Flyglobespan and returned with Air Itlay - both budget airlines who do not normally cover these routes. My guess is it is cheaper for TCX to keep its planes in a hangar and sub out the flights than it is to fly themselves.
Interesting.

Just as an aside, do budget airlines not make huge losses in the winter anyway? Or was Ryanairs reported loss for the whole year?