Snowsports - UK - January 2008

Table of Contents

• Issues in the Market
• Main issues
• Definitions
• Abbreviations
• Market in Brief
• An established niche
• Bargain deals cap costs
• No-frills ski passenger numbers soar
• Haven for packages
• Short-haul or new horizons
• Designer destinations
• Domestic skiing
• Internal Market Environment
• Key points
• Holiday volume
  • Figure 1: Domestic and overseas holidays volume, 2002-07
• Spend increases on all fronts
  • Figure 2: Domestic and overseas holidays expenditure, 2002-07
  • Figure 3: Average spend per trip, 2002-07
• Multiple holidays are becoming the norm
  • Figure 4: Percentage of adults booking UK and overseas holidays, 2002-07
• New low-cost air routes
  • Figure 5: European ski capacity for low-cost carriers (in 000s), 2002/03-2006/07
• Slow snow
• Travel insurance legislation
• Skiing at home in terminal decline?
  • Figure 6: Scottish skier days, 2002/03-2006/07
• A blizzard of fake snow
• Climate change and the environment
• Broader Market Environment
• Key points
• No slowdown in spending
  • Figure 7: Trends in personal disposable income and consumer expenditure, 2002-12
• Ageing Britain
  • Figure 8: Trends in the age structure of the UK population, by gender, 2002-12
• Upmarket opportunities
  • Figure 9: Forecast adult population trends, by socio-economic group, 2002-12
• Sporty third agers and retired
  • Figure 10: Forecast adult population trends, by lifestage, 2002-12
• Exchange rates favour the long haul
  • Figure 11: Annual average exchange rates for Sterling, 2002-07
• Net growth
  • Figure 12: Method used to book last holiday abroad, 2003-07
• Holiday spend is the top priority
  • Figure 13: UK spending priorities, January 2007
• Competitive Context
• Key points
• Holiday volume
  • Figure 14: Domestic and overseas holidays volume, 2002-07
• Holiday duration
  • Figure 15: Length of holiday, 2002/03-2006/07
• Strengths and Weaknesses in the Market
• Strengths
• Increasing secondary breaks and shorter ski breaks
• Low-cost flights and budget deals
• Other activities and softer options
• Investment in facilities and accommodation
• Weaknesses
• Climate change and lack of snow affecting Europe
• Relatively expensive (family) holiday
• Limited appeal (niche market)
• Foreign tour operators offering good deals
• Market Size and Forecast
• Key points
  • Figure 16: Volume and value at current prices forecast, 2002/03-2011/12
• Middling market
• Average prices to increase slightly at current prices
  • Figure 17: Volume and value at constant prices forecast, 2002/03-2011/12
• Factors used in the forecast
• Segment Performance
• Key points
• Independent sector growing fast
  • Figure 18: Snowsports holiday market size, by independent and tour operator volume (visits), 2002/03-2006/07
• Alps stay in pole position
  • Figure 19: Destinations visited by the tour operator market, 2002/03-2006/07
• Market Share
• Key points
  • Figure 20: Tour operator market share (operating sales), 2002/03-2006/07
  • Figure 21: UK ski market, by type and operator, 2006/07
• Distribution
• Key points
  • Figure 22: Methods of purchasing a ski holiday, 2002/03-2006/07
• Companies and Products
• Key points
• Crystal
• First Choice
• Inghams
• MyTravel/Airtours Holidays
• Neilson
• Thomson
• Specialists and other agents
• Erna Low
• Igluski.com
• Ski Beat
• Ski Club of Great Britain
• Ski Direct
• Ski Safari
• Ski Solutions
• Virgin Holidays
• The Consumer: Who Skis?
• Key points
• Participation in skiing holidays
  • Figure 23: Participation in skiing holidays, 2006 and 2007
• Growth in a niche activity
• Encourage lapsed skiers
• Online budget breaks
• Never say never
• Home and dry
• The Consumer: Who Skis? -- Detailed Demographics
  • Figure 24: Participation in skiing holidays, by demographics, September 2007
• Skiing Destinations and Habits
• Key points
  • Figure 25: Locations and habits for ski holidays, 2006 and 2007
• Alps increase in popularity
• Skiing outruns boarding
• More independent skiers