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Τετάρτη 26 Νοεμβρίου 2014

Owners Direct reveals where Britons will be sloping off to this ski season


LONDON, UK – As the ski season gets underway, holiday home specialist, Owners Direct reveals the most popular resorts for Britons looking to pound the powder this winter. 

Figures from the holiday home specialist and currency provider, Caxton FX, have revealed that demand for ski holidays is climbing high, with Caxton FX reporting that the volume of currency purchased for ski-related trips is up 59 per cent on last year. 

“British skiers are opting for the more affordable Euro-zone resorts, over the US and Switzerland, with the number of US dollars purchased for ski this year down on 2013,” says James Hickman, Managing Director of Caxton FX. Figures for US Dollars are reportedly down 73 per cent on last year and the number of Swiss Francs bought this year is down 58 per cent since 2012. “In contrast, the volume of Euros purchased for ski-related trips is up 64 per cent, year on year. Brits really are making the most of being closer to home where the pound has significantly strengthened against the Euro.”

Owners Direct, which provides a more affordable way to ski for families and groups of friends, by offering self-catering holiday homes in all the major resorts, has revealed that France is the most popular destination, accounting for 87 per cent of all ski enquiries for winter 2014/15. Austria and Switzerland remain popular, although demand for both is down2 on last year and Andorra has seen a significant hike in popularity with enquiries up 32 per cent2 on last season.

“France is the clear winner among British skiers this season,” says Erica Chang, Senior Regional Director, Owners Direct. “Demand for ski accommodation in France has risen year-on-year1 and our ‘Top 10 Ski Resorts’ are all French3. Morzine is the number one choice for Brits and demand for this resort is up 16 per cent3 on last year. Val Thorens, Meribel and La Plagne have also experienced a big leap in demand versus last season, whereas Chamonix has seen demand fall by 23 per cent and it has dropped from position four to position nine in our ‘Top 10’3.”

2014/15 Top 10 Ski Resorts
1. Morzine
2. Les Gets
3. Les Arcs
4. Samoens
5. La Plagne
6. Meribel
7. Tignes
8. Chatel
9. Chamonix
10. Val Thorens

Owners Direct is putting the heightened demand for snowy escapes down to the balmy temperatures that the UK has enjoyed this year, particularly during the hazy autumn, which has made holidaymakers crave the crisp chill of the slopes even more than usual. Its figures have also revealed that December is the most popular month for travellers to take a ski holiday, accounting for almost half of the total enquiries for the 2014/15 season, followed by February4, with many opting to take their ski break during the school holidays.

“Holiday homes are particularly appealing for families, whose travel dates are often restricted to the Christmas and February half-term school holidays, because they offer a more affordable way to enjoy a ski holiday than a hotel or catered chalet and allow the whole family to stay together,” continues Erica Chang.

Owners Direct has more than 3,400 ski properties to rent this season, spanning France, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Andorra, Italy and Finland.
Ranking
Country
% share of total enquiries
% increase/decrease in enquiries in the 2014/15 season compared with the 2013/14 season
1
France
87%
5%

2
Austria
5.6%
-18%

3
Switzerland
4.5%
-8%

4
Bulgaria
1.2%
-30%

5
Finland
0.5%
-2%

6
Andorra
0.4%
32%

7
Italy
0.3%
-3%



Ranking
2013/14
% Share of Enquiries
2014/15
% Share of Enquiries
Year on year % Increase/decrease in enquiries for the 2014/15 top 10 resorts
1
Morzine
21%
Morzine
24%
Morzine
16%
2
Les Gets
7%
Les Gets
7%
Les Gets
-5%
3
Les Arcs
5%
Les Arcs
4%
Les Arcs
-12%
4
Chamonix
4%
Samoens
4%
Samoens
6%
5
Samoens
4%
La Plagne
4%
La Plagne
36%
6
La Plagne
4%
Meribel
4%
Meribel
47%
7
Tignes
3%
Tignes
4%
Tignes
19%
8
Chatel
3%
Chatel
4%
Chatel
25%
9
Meribel
3%
Chamonix
3%
Chamonix
-23%
10
Courchevel
3%
Val Thorens
3%
Val Thorens
39%