Consolidation of Leading British Ski Tour Operators

The consolidation of leading British ski tour operators that has been on-going for several years is continuing with Hotelplan, the owners of the UK's second largest ski tour operator, Inghams, purchasing the Enigma Travel Group, operators of two of the country's leading 'mid-sized' ski brands, Esprit Holidays and Ski Total.

Mr Hans Lerch, Vice Chairman and CEO of Swiss parent, Hotelplan Group, and Chairman of Hotelplan UK, said: "We are delighted with this acquisition, which is a perfect strategic fit with Inghams. This deal positions the enlarged Hotelplan UK group for significant growth across all key sectors, by reinforcing and building on the Group's long-standing position as a formidable force in the ski sector and in specialist travel generally. We will now be able to move forward on ski with Enigma's strength in the family and chalet sectors perfectly complementing Inghams' strength in hotels and apartments. We will of course continue to operate under all these three well respected and highly differentiated brand names."

Inghams current CEO, Litsa Constantinou, has decided to leave the business at this time and seek new challenges. Andy Perrin, Enigma Travel Group's Managing Director, becomes Group CEO of Hotelplan UK, bringing 29 years experience in specialist travel and the ski sector, including with the UK's number one ski tour operator, Crystal Holidays, TUI's Specialist Holidays Group, and at Enigma since 2002. Enigma Chairman and founder, Peter Dyer, will continue to lead the team at Esprit and Ski Total from their offices in Fleet, Hampshire, and becomes Vice Chairman of Hotelplan UK.

Perrin commented: "I have admired Inghams as a competitor throughout my entire career, and it's a dream come true to be involved here. ...I look forward to the tremendous opportunities ahead to develop and grow all aspects of this fantastic group of companies."

Both family ski specialist Esprit and adult catered chalet and chalet hotel operator Ski Total were established 28 years ago in 1982. Inghams is celebrating its 75th year of operations.

Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

I wonder if there will be any benefit to the consumer, I'm guessing not .

If they do it right they should have lower costs. Whether or not they pass that on...

Pablo Escobar wrote:If they do it right they should have lower costs. Whether or not they pass that on...

Pab's it's all about money, I really can't see them passing on any discounts to the public

In an ideal world they would hold or reduce prices on this year and create a price war of sorts. Anyway, I thought everyone had realised DIY was the way to go ;)

Pablo Escobar wrote:In an ideal world they would hold or reduce prices on this year and create a price war of sorts. Anyway, I thought everyone had realised DIY was the way to go ;)

It would be a real miracle if they passed on the reduced prices to the customer, pigs can fly...... can't they ??