WIN 6-8 22/9/09 09:48 Page 43
ttglive.com
winter breaks knowledge
Winter 2009-10
Ski specialists
Tui is targeting skiing veterans with its
new Crystal Ski Plus packages, which offer
prices 25-30% lower than last year to some
of the most popular resorts in Europe and
North America.
hope for a lift
Elsewhere, sister brands Esprit Ski and
Ski Total have produced “Crunch Buster”
special-edition brochures featuring offers for
families such as free child holidays and
equipment hire.
Ski operators are hoping to bounce back from a tricky
Inghams is promoting free lift passes and
ski hire plus two-for-one deals on ski and
season last year. Rob Gill checks out what’s new
snowboard lessons in some resorts.
Luxury operator Ski Dream says that the
T
he winter sports market was hit Price offers price of ski holidays has dropped across
hard last year, with the number of Many leading ski operators are offering the board with both European and North
UK skiers dropping by about 13% to prices at the same level or lower than last American holidays being cheaper this year
just over one million after several season as well as promotions such as free due to better hotel rates, more deals and a
years of consistent growth. child places, lift passes and ski hire, plus drop in fuel surcharges.
This decline has inevitably led to capacity deals on ski lessons. Upmarket specialists VIP and Snowline
cuts by operators for 2009-10. But there are Tui Ski, which includes Crystal, Thomson are offering savings of £100 from brochure
still plenty of deals and other incentives and First Choice winter sports programmes, prices during five Saver Weeks this
available to encourage skiers to book their predicts many skiers will return to booking season for bookings made by the end of
trip, including many early booking offers. operator packages instead of the DIY route. October.
Ski companies are hoping that there Managing director Mathew Prior says: Non-euro destinations such as Bulgaria,
will be no repeat of last autumn when the “We can demonstrate that you cannot do it Romania and Slovenia may benefit this
worldwide financial crisis kicked in during cheaper yourself. Customers are also looking season as skiers look for a bargain holiday.
the crucial booking months of September for the reassurance and security offered by Specialist Balkan Holidays has deals to
and October. strong established brands.” resorts in these countries. Turn to 44
25.09.2009 43
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