After a winter without lifts, reservations are slightly declined compared to the year 2019. The delay is catched up but the fifth wave is placing doubt, especially on the presence of foreign skiers.
by
Funny shock information, Friday, 19 November In the morning: While Austria, the first worldwide destination for skiing before the pandemic of Covid-19, announced the reconfining of its population, the French mountains launched their season. Winter in front of a secretary of state to rurality, Joel Giraud, quick to tighten hands.
For the moment, the ski industry has a smile: the opening weekend in Val-Thorens, on 19 and 20 November, complete poster, Jean Castex has guaranteed the opening this winter and the pace reservations is promising, despite the uncertainty on the forehead of the epidemic.
The late accuracy of the Software Protocol for Ski Lifts on Saturday, November 6 by the Prime Minister, has revived a boost to reservations. The mask will be mandatory in the gondola and queues, but the health care will not be controlled to the ski lifts, unless the national incidence of COVID-19 exceeds the 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It was 120 November 15, up sharply, but the possible application of the sanitary pass is not a matter of concern for bookings – some important actors even pleaded to be imposed immediately.
Reservations down 6% but “in the right direction”
In mid-November, reservations for the entire season were down 6% compared to 2019-2020, a reference year and very successful until its brutal interruption, on March 15, 2020. ” Reservations are distributed in the right direction. Two weeks ago, we had 12% delay, “says Alexander Mauli, president of the ski areas of France (DSF).
The booking rate is 43%, with a less important gap than usually between large areas of altitude (44%) and village stations (40.5%). Hotels, cottages or apartments managed by professionals are more acclaimed than before Covid-19, while tourist residences, private individual and vacation villages show late.
“We must not doubt it, we will do an exceptional season, insists Jean-Luc Boch, President of the National Association of Mayors of Mountain Stations. We were third in 2019 (behind the United States and the United States Austria), no doubt we will regain first place. “
Belgian and Dutch have booked
Behind these numbers are hiding some points of fragility and, especially, polling. The month of January, more dependent on the tour operators and the British clientele, is weaker than usual, as well as March and April.
You have 41.16% of this article to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.