international ski travel market

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International ski travel market re-brands to wtm connect ski.

In Press Releases , WTM Connect Asia , WTM London .

International Ski Travel Market (ISTM), the premier event for the b2b ski travel industry, which sits under the WTM Portfolio, is rebranding to WTM connect Ski as it continues to follow the same unique format of the newly launched WTM connect events.

WTM Portfolio’s specialist two day B2B Ski event will take place on 14 – 15 March 2016, at the Aqua Dome, Ötztal, Austria and will continue to offer an exclusive one-to-one opportunity for ski resorts, tourist boards, private sector ski properties and inbound ski travel suppliers to meet with outbound ski travel buyers.

As the ski travel industry continues to tackle political and economic challenges, the opportunity to meet centrally with peers and colleagues is absolutely key in terms of business development and knowledge sharing. Last year’s event witnessed a record number of attendees (180), a 15% increase on 2014 from 20 countries, representing 50 resorts from across Europe and North America and buyers from across Europe, North America and the Middle East.

All WTM connect Ski buyers are carefully selected based on industry relevance, expertise and purchasing responsibility, replicating the rigorous qualification process seen at many other WTM Portfolio events.

WTM connect Ski attracts top quality buyers form the Ski travel industry from TUI, Hotelplan and Thomas Cook to niche agents, operators and private travel arrangers from established and emerging market stall looking to network, negotiate and sign business deals over the two days.

The re-brand follows on from the launch of WTM connect Asia which will take place in Penang Malaysia and WTM connect China taking place in Sanya, Hainan Island, both one-to-one events, that will take place in May 2016.

WTM Portfolio, Director, Craig Moyes, commented: “The newly launched WTM connect events, which act as the perfect platform for one-to-one business led meetings, truly fits with what ISTM achieves. The rebrand of ISTM to WTM connect Ski is vital to keep the WTM Portfolio consistent moving forward.

“WTM connects are targeted events for exhibitors to meet with hand-picked buyers. The WTM Portfolio will facilitate more than $7 billion in travel industry business deals in 2015, and WTM connect Ski will contribute significantly and help to increase this in 2016.”

WTM Portfolio

The World Travel Market Portfolio is comprised of the leading leisure travel events in the world; World Travel Market in London, WTM Latin America in Sao Paulo, WTM Africa in Cape Town and Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

The WTM Portfolio’s events are attended by the global travel and tourism industry’s senior executives to conduct business deals and discover the latest research, insight and opinion.

In 2014, the WTM Portfolio facilitated around $7 billion in industry deals from negotiations between the more than 15,000 buyers, 9,500 exhibitors (1,500 main stand holders and 8,000 stand sharers) in attendance of its four events.

WTM is owned by the worldʼs leading events organiser Reed Exhibitions.

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser, with over 500 events in 43 countries. In 2014 Reed brought together over seven million event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of the RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

Paul Nelson,

WTM Portfolio Press and PR Manager

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8910 7032

Nicole Collett,

WTM Portfolio Press and PR Executive

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8910 783

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15th Edition Of International Report On Snow & Mountain Tourism Released By Laurent Vanat.

•   02  MAY  2023 

The 15th edition of the  International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism  has just been released by Laurent Vanat.

The industry-wide report reviews the 2021/22 global ski season, and after 2 difficult years impacted by the covid-19 pandemic, it seems the ski industry has recovered reasonably well.  The report suggests that globally, during 2021/22, the attendance at ski resorts was close to the average of the last 20 years with some countries even achieving their best numbers in terms of skier visits.

Since the beginning of the 2020’s and pre covid-19, yearly visitations to ski resorts have been varying mainly due to weather and snow conditions, fluctuating between 323 and 389 million skier visits worldwide. Alpine countries that were locked down during winter 2020/21 saw the most dramatic shortfall in visits over the period, with only 201 million skier visits recorded.

Despite many ski resorts being unable to run fully operational during the 2021/22 winter season, they still managed to record more than 370 million skier visits worldwide, with several countries, both in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere,having their best ever seasons.

This performance has been primarily driven by:

• Favourable weather conditions in many places. Even if snowfall was sometimes limited, cold enough temperatures and sunny days provided for good skiing conditions.
• A renewed desire for outdoor activities and domestic destinations, which benefited the ski areas (of which the largest markets are domestic).
• An easing of the pandemic restrictions in many countries.
• The development of the ski industry in some Eastern European countries, creating unprecedented skier visits number over the very recent years.
• China resuming its skier visits growth with the enthusiasm brought on by the Beijing 2022 Olympics, despite still prevalent covid-19 restrictions.
• The resumption of lifts renewals after 2020, a year where works in progress were on hold for weeks or months.

Globally, there has been a return to normal levels of attendance. However, at the country level, there have been winners and losers during the 2021/22 winter season. Visitations to ski resorts was still being affected by pandemic restrictions in some countries, more so than in others, as had been the case over the previous season.

In the United States, it was more than back to business as usual, while China resumed its growth path. Some western countries have seen a revival in attendance, whilst Austria missed the start of the season and Japan, Italy and Germany still suffered. France did well, with attendance reaching 2% over the 5-year average of the last pre-covid-19 seasons.

Despite the environment around the ski business continuing to be more difficult than it was before the pandemic, winter 2021/22 can be considered as a season of hope for the industry. However, it is obvious that this season will bring more intense global challenges to the industry.

There are currently 68 countries in the world that offer equipped outdoor ski areas covered with snow. Even if snowfields are much more numerous, about 2’000 ski resorts have been identified worldwide. Besides the major ski destinations in terms of skier visits, there are a number of other, smaller destinations, where skiing has been an industry for a long time, or is currently developing. The most obvious emerging destinations are Eastern Europe and China, but there are several other small players spread out across the globe: Cyprus, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Lesotho, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey and many more.

Free access to the full report is currently limited to its contributors and the supporters of its crowdfunding campaign. Hard copies of the report can be purchased online through the website of the author –  www.vanat.ch

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INTERNATIONAL SKI TRAVEL MARKET HEADS TO CHAMONIX

21st February 2020

Last modified on May 15th, 2021

The leading B2B international snowsports event goes from strength to strength as it launches a new event.

The 7th International Ski Travel Market takes place from 8th – 12th March in the French resort with a record number of  participants.

PlanetSKI’s editor, James Cove, hosted the industry forums at the first editions starting in its inaugural year at Kitzbühel, Austria, in 2014.

–  Kitzbühel 2014

–  Davos 2015

–  Sölden 2016

He now attends as a specially invited guest.

“It serves as a focal point for the global snowsports industry and is a good barometer of the current state of the snowsports market,” said James.

Delegates come from Europe, North America, South America and the emerging Asia markets.

“We have so many valued clients who join us year on year and for this edition we are also thrilled to welcome an enormous ratio of new suppliers and buyers,” said ISTM Event and Buyer Manager, Paulina Lund.

International Ski Travel Market. Image © PlanetSKI.

The organisers have also launched a new event for the industry, International Alpine Travel Market (IATM).

The first IATM will take place in Chamonix from 20th – 22nd September and will focus on the spring and summer seasons.

“IATM is based on the successful ISTM model, however, with more of an experiential element,” said the event manager, Luke Bolton.

“Buyers and suppliers will have pre-scheduled meetings in a similar way to ISTM, but these will follow two evenings of informal socialising and a day spent together, out in the natural environment, sampling some of the activities the local area has to offer.”

Luke Bolton, ISTM. Image © PlanetSKI.

International Alpine Travel Market

“‘We really want IATM to focus on developing strong and meaningful connections. Continuing our relationship with Chamonix feels completely natural and we couldn’t be happier to have them as a partner for the first IATM”.

Here at PlanetSKI we will be in Chamonix next month reporting on the event and reviewing the resort of Chamonix.

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ISTM exhibition manager Peter Grimster said: “The host venue, InterContinental Hotel Davos, has been filled with ski trade professionals. The feedback from exhibitors, key note speakers and the 70 hosted buyers has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing our position as the industry platform for ski professionals to share their news, network with decisionmakers, meet potential partners and exchange insight and ideas. The scene was truly international including buyers from the USA, Middle East and Europe”.

The two-day appointment-led event saw suppliers (including resorts and hotels) and buyers (comprising of mainstream ski tour operators and tailor-made specialists) partake in 1620 pre-arranged appointments; equating to 533 hours of business meetings.

A new-look panel session hosted by James Cove was also a hit with delegates, according to Reed.

The two keynote speakers, Urs Eberhard, vice director and head of Markets, of Switzerland Tourism, and Mathew Prior, managing director of Specialist Holidays Group, TUI Travel discussed the future of the ski business with questions raised by members of the audience.

Next year’s instalment of ISTM will be staged in Ötztal’s luxury Aqua Dome complex in Austria with access to the ski resorts of Sölden, Obergurgl and Hochgurgl from 14-15 March.

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Reed Travel Exhibition Selects Austria For First International Ski Travel Market

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Reed Travel Exhibitions launches first International Ski Travel Market

The first ISTM will take place at the prestigious, 5-star A-ROSA Hotel in Kitzbuhel, Austria.

Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced the launch of the first International Ski Travel Market (ISTM). This exclusive two-day forum taking place from 17-18 March 2014 will bring together up to 80 European resort tourist boards and inbound ski travel suppliers with 80 leading outbound ski tour operators, in a format of pre-arranged appointments.

The first ISTM will take place at the prestigious, 5-star A-ROSA Hotel in Kitzbuhel, Austria. An easily accessible resort with a worldwide reputation for its tourism and hospitality, Kitzbuhel is the perfect setting to host a b2b ski tourism event in the heart of the Tyrolean mountains.

An acknowledged world leader in organising events for the travel and tourism industry and with more than 30 years of experience, Reed Travel Exhibitions is uniquely positioned to be able to deliver a successful event for the ski and winter sports market.

As a meetings style event, rather than following a traditional exhibition format, ISTM will offer a level playing field for all suppliers with table-top meetings taking place within a formal business environment.

Peter Grimster , Exhibition Manager at Reed Travel Exhibitions, said: “with Reed’s portfolio of large-scale travel events spanning the globe, we are delighted to be able to launch a forum specifically dedicated to a niche sector travel industry such as ski.

To ensure a targeted event where ski travel buyers can conduct business with ski travel destinations and in-bound operators all buyers and suppliers will be pre-qualified against strict criteria for participation in ISTM.

One only has to look at the incredible success of similar Reed Travel events across the globe, such as the International Golf Travel Market, to see just how important this kind of event can be to the niche markets they serve” .

As well as the pre-scheduled appointments there will be a selection of topical industry seminars and destination briefings designed to arm delegates with the latest product information, tools and technologies required to complete their contracting for the year ahead.  There will also be numerous opportunities to network socially and to meet members of the European travel trade press.

Gordon Ritter, Purchasing Director, TUI Ski, TUI Travel PLC, said: “ISTM represents a unique opportunity for the European ski industry to come together to continue to develop product & strategic business relationships. ISTM is poised to become a key event in the ski travel industry calendar where buyers and sellers can work to create choice & value for all their customers. I am looking forward to the event in Kitzbuhel in March 2014.”

Eurotours International’s, CEO, Hans-Dieter Toth added: “Kitzbuhel, home to Eurotours head office, is a fitting destination to host the inaugural International Ski Travel Market for senior buyers in the global market. Eurotours International is one of the largest tour operators in Central Europe in direct sales and this is an opportunity for the leading stakeholders in the ski industry to come together for the first time to an event focusing entirely on winter sports holidays. Setting the scene for business in Kitzbuhel will ensure success for all involved and I am anticipating good business opportunities at the event.”

Grimster went on to say: “There is already a tremendous buzz surrounding ISTM and its generating excitement right across the European ski travel industry. Not only is it the ideal opportunity to promote and attract business but it’s also the perfect way for everyone involved to share ideas and give an overall boost to the sector.

Following months of intensive research we believe we have struck the right formula with the event format, location and specifically the timing with respect to contracting deadlines. ISTM will be the only pan-European ski tourism event soon to be firmly established within the annual exhibition calendar.”

Theodore Koumelis

Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.

• Theodore Koumelis https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/theodore-koumelis/ Travelport renews Low-Cost carrier content agreement with flynas
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We are excited to announce that our team recently attended the International Ski Travel Market (ISTM 2023), where we connected with key players in the mountain travel industry. This annual event brings suppliers and buyers from across Europe and beyond to create a space for networking, inspiration, and partnership building.

At the ISTM 2023 event, we met with ski hospitality leaders. We secured new connections while catching up with long-term partners who are located in Courchevel, Megeve, Chamonix, Davos Klosters, Grindelwald, Alpe D’Huez, Val D’Isere, and many more.

While our business meetings were fruitful, we also explored the breathtaking Oztal Area, surrounded by snow-covered 3,000-meter-high peaks. The first evening, we had a fantastic experience at the traditional Tyrolean-style hut Zirbenalm, followed by a torchlight hike back to the hotel.

The following day, we had the opportunity to experience the ski-in/ski-out facilities of the hotel with ski guides discovering the perfectly groomed 112 km of pistes, followed by lunch in the Hohe Mut Alm and an après-ski party in the famous Nederhutte hut.

At Insignia, we believe in the power of human connections, the physicality of being in the same space as another person, and the profound effect these have on building strong, long-term business partnerships.

Our attendance at ISTM 2023 exemplifies our dedication to expanding our network of partners and affiliates within the luxury travel industry to offer our valued members the best experiences possible.

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Leisure Travel

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• Leading inbound travel markets for ski tourism in Italy 2022-2023

In the winter season 2022/2023, the United Kingdom was the leading inbound market in Italy for ski tourism. Overall, British travelers accounted for nearly a quarter of ski tourists in Italy in 2022/2023. Poland and Germany followed in the ranking, representing around 15 percent and 12.5 percent of ski tourists, respectively.

Distribution of international ski tourists in Italy in the winter season 2022/2023, by country

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Show sources information Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service

April to May 2023

approx. 1,900¹

Computer-assisted web interviews (CAWI)

¹ The survey included tourism operators of accommodation establishments, ski resorts, restaurants, and other tourism activities across 61 travel destinations in Italy.

Other statistics on the topic Winter tourism in Europe

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

• Monthly number of inbound tourist arrivals in Europe 2019-2023
• Best European Christmas markets 2023-2024
• Domestic overnight stays in winter season in Austria 2008-2023
• Leading inbound travel markets in winter in Austria 2019-2023, by overnight stays

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Statistics on " Winter tourism in Europe "

• Tourist overnight stays in winter in France 2019-2023, by accommodation type
• Tourist overnight stays in winter in France 2019-2023, by destination
• Leading inbound travel markets in winter in France 2019-2023, by overnight stays
• Monthly overnight stays by international tourists in Italy 2019-2024
• Monthly overnight stays in German travel accommodation 2022-2024
• Best ski areas worldwide 2024, by ski index score
• Most expensive ski destinations in Europe 2023
• Cheapest ski destinations in Europe 2023
• Most budget-friendly ski resorts in Europe 2024, by average weekly cost
• Most budget-friendly ski resorts for families in Europe 2024, by average weekly cost
• Leading domestic travel markets for ski tourism in Italy 2022-2023
• Ski resort occupancy rates in France in winter 2020-2023, by accommodation type
• Hotels and hotel beds in selected Alpine regions in Europe 2022
• Tourist arrivals and overnight stays in selected Alpine regions Europe 2022
• Hotel overnight stays in Alpine regions in Europe 2022, by season
• Change in hotel overnight stays in selected Alpine regions in Europe 2019-2022
• Cities with the most budget-friendly Christmas markets in Europe 2023
• Christmas market activities in Germany in 2023
• Purchases at Christmas markets in Austria in 2023
• Favorite shopping channels for Christmas gifts in Italy 2023

Other statistics that may interest you Winter tourism in Europe

• Basic Statistic Monthly number of inbound tourist arrivals in Europe 2019-2023
• Premium Statistic Tourist overnight stays in winter in France 2019-2023, by accommodation type
• Premium Statistic Tourist overnight stays in winter in France 2019-2023, by destination
• Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in winter in France 2019-2023, by overnight stays
• Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in winter in Austria 2019-2023, by overnight stays
• Premium Statistic Domestic overnight stays in winter season in Austria 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Monthly overnight stays by international tourists in Italy 2019-2024
• Premium Statistic Monthly overnight stays in German travel accommodation 2022-2024

Ski tourism

• Premium Statistic Best ski areas worldwide 2024, by ski index score
• Premium Statistic Most expensive ski destinations in Europe 2023
• Premium Statistic Cheapest ski destinations in Europe 2023
• Premium Statistic Most budget-friendly ski resorts in Europe 2024, by average weekly cost
• Premium Statistic Most budget-friendly ski resorts for families in Europe 2024, by average weekly cost
• Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets for ski tourism in Italy 2022-2023
• Premium Statistic Leading domestic travel markets for ski tourism in Italy 2022-2023
• Premium Statistic Ski resort occupancy rates in France in winter 2020-2023, by accommodation type

Alpine tourism

• Premium Statistic Hotels and hotel beds in selected Alpine regions in Europe 2022
• Premium Statistic Tourist arrivals and overnight stays in selected Alpine regions Europe 2022
• Premium Statistic Hotel overnight stays in Alpine regions in Europe 2022, by season
• Premium Statistic Change in hotel overnight stays in selected Alpine regions in Europe 2019-2022

Christmas markets

• Basic Statistic Best European Christmas markets 2023-2024
• Premium Statistic Cities with the most budget-friendly Christmas markets in Europe 2023
• Premium Statistic Christmas market activities in Germany in 2023
• Premium Statistic Purchases at Christmas markets in Austria in 2023
• Premium Statistic Favorite shopping channels for Christmas gifts in Italy 2023

Further related statistics

• Premium Statistic YoY percentage change in skiing centers' international tourists in Italy 2018-2019
• Premium Statistic International tourists on winter holidays in Italy 2018-2019, by country of origin
• Premium Statistic YoY percentage change of international tourists on winter holidays in Italy 2018-2019
• Premium Statistic Share of tourists on winter holidays in Italy 2017-2018, by length of stay
• Premium Statistic Share of winter holidays in Italy 2018-2019, by average price range per capita
• Premium Statistic Distribution of ski tourists in Italy 2022-2023, by origin
• Premium Statistic Share of tourists on winter holidays in Italy 2018-2019, by nationality
• Premium Statistic Italy: interest in visiting Savoie Mont-Blanc 2015
• Premium Statistic Winter holiday plans in France 2020
• Premium Statistic Winter holiday accomodation plans in France 2020
• Premium Statistic Intention of French people with children to go on holiday in February 2020
• Premium Statistic Intention to go on holiday in February in France 2020, by status
• Premium Statistic Intention to go on holiday in February in France 2020, by gender
• Premium Statistic Italy: biggest ski resorts 2016
• Basic Statistic Type of winter travel planned in Canada in 2013
• Premium Statistic Top-3 New Year's gifts in Russia 2019, by gender
• Premium Statistic Drivers planning to drive out of town during the winter holidays in the U.S. 2014
• Premium Statistic Winter sports practice rate by size of urban area in France 2018

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

• YoY percentage change in skiing centers' international tourists in Italy 2018-2019
• International tourists on winter holidays in Italy 2018-2019, by country of origin
• YoY percentage change of international tourists on winter holidays in Italy 2018-2019
• Share of tourists on winter holidays in Italy 2017-2018, by length of stay
• Share of winter holidays in Italy 2018-2019, by average price range per capita
• Distribution of ski tourists in Italy 2022-2023, by origin
• Share of tourists on winter holidays in Italy 2018-2019, by nationality
• Italy: interest in visiting Savoie Mont-Blanc 2015
• Winter holiday plans in France 2020
• Winter holiday accomodation plans in France 2020
• Intention of French people with children to go on holiday in February 2020
• Intention to go on holiday in February in France 2020, by status
• Intention to go on holiday in February in France 2020, by gender
• Italy: biggest ski resorts 2016
• Type of winter travel planned in Canada in 2013
• Top-3 New Year's gifts in Russia 2019, by gender
• Drivers planning to drive out of town during the winter holidays in the U.S. 2014
• Winter sports practice rate by size of urban area in France 2018

How Much Is The Ski Industry Really Worth? (Billions)

If you've been to a ski resort before, you're sure to know how expensive a winter skiing vacation can be — especially if you factor in ever-increasing lift tickets and pricey lodging accommodations.

With over 100 million skiers participating each year, the ski industry is unsurprisingly worth billions of dollars. Ski villages and surrounding cities have grown to rely on the tourism that ski resorts command year after year. Without this revenue and heavy tourist presence, there are harsh economic impacts.

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An Overview of the Ski Industry Key Statistics

Skiing has global popularity and within Europe and America specifically, there are hundreds of thousands of participants each winter season. North America boasts a 50 billion dollar ski industry and Colorado in particular attracts both casual participants and the best of the best to its world-renowned mountains and resorts.

Of all the European countries, Germany prides itself on having the most skiers each season — with nearly 14.6 million participants. The European Alps attract a diverse crowd who travel from all over the world and want to experience the majesty of the mountains first-hand.

In the Alps, winter sports and recreation bring in a significant 33 billion dollars annually and this directly affects the surrounding regions based on how many tourists the resorts attract. After the pandemic, there was a decline in turnout that has since been trending back upwards.

Looking towards China, where the ski industry has been growing and maturing over recent years, major economic growth is expected as the sport gains footing and popularity with the citizens. North American and European resorts are gearing up to accommodate thousands of newcomers who want to experience a traditional ski resort for the first time.

Searches for 'Skiing' Related Topics Across the World, 2014-2022

Countries highlighted in a darker blue are where the majority of ‘Ski’ related searches are made. Alpine European countries, Nordic countries, and North America (USA & Canada) are the most popular places to ski based on their Geography – so unsurprisingly these regions make up the bulk of searches.

New Zealand, Australia & South Africa – all countries with ski resorts – still account for a sizeable interest in the topic in the Southern Hemisphere.

How Is the North American Ski Industry Faring?

The largest factor affecting the ski industry as a whole within the United States is the number of domestic trips residents are able to make each season. With less leisure time, people are unable to travel to a resort for a weeklong stay and this causes an ensuing decline in revenue for the resorts.

The ski and snowboard resort industry hit a peak in 2019 at 3.46 billion dollars in market size, which is measured by revenue. The industry saw a decline over the next couple of years, which can largely be blamed on the pandemic.

With the onset of COVID-19, people were unable or unwilling to travel to take their yearly ski vacations , therefore causing the loss of nearly a billion dollars for the domestic industry.

However, the market is forecast to steadily increase during the 2022 season and beyond, as people are able to return to their regular activities and feel safer doing so with widespread vaccinations and treatment options.

Taking a look at the state with the most popular ski resorts , Vail and Breckenridge, Colorado naturally relies on the ski industry to boost revenue and job prospects. A study has shown that the Centennial State brings in around 4.8 billion dollars in economic output each year from the ski industry alone and hosts over 40,000 jobs.

The trend for ski resort ownership has shifted over the last few decades with smaller resorts shutting shop or being bought out by larger conglomerates such as Vail Resorts & Alterra Mountain Company which own 31 ski resorts across North America. Learn more about Who Owns Ski Resorts?

Skiing Interest across the United States

What Type of Economic Impact Does The Ski Industry Have?

Snowsports tourism has a massive impact on ski villages near resorts and the surrounding cities and towns of hugely popular resorts — such as those within the Vail Resort system. Being the largest player in the United State's ski industry, they hold a great deal of power economically and drive steady winter revenue brought in by the tourists that they attract.

Bringing in around 20 billion dollars a year, the ski resorts are the main source of revenue for the winter sports industry as a whole. Families can spend thousands of dollars on a single ski trip and this money is multiplied by the hundreds of thousands of visitors that Vail and Breckenridge attract each season alone.

Not only do ski resorts bring in millions of dollars each season from rentals , lift tickets , lodge accommodations, and lessons — they also provide local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses with a boost in customers. You can even include gas stations and grocery stores into the mix, as they see an increased number of visitors during the peak of ski season.

Wherever large groups of people congregate, they naturally need to sleep, eat, and entertain themselves. This provides many businesses outside of the resort itself with the opportunity to attract a new crowd of consumers and to grab a slice of the tourism pie themselves, so to speak.

Untapped Markets That Could Boost The Ski Industry

As with any industry, it's always important to discover new markets and populations that can serve to grow revenue year after year. Though many people may not think of China as a skiing nation, the country has set its sights on having 350 million skier visits during the winter of 2022.

Since China hosted the Winter Olympics in February 2022, all eyes were on the nation for the various winter sports that were hosted during the event.

Naturally, the pandemic shifted goals and while there may not have been over 300 million skiers, there certainly has been a massive shift in the sport's popularity.

In a country that's larger than the United States, there is plenty of room for opportunity and for the sport of skiing to grow to new heights. Ski areas have been popping up overnight it seems and residents have been enthusiastic about participating in snow sports, with skiing and snowboarding being especially popular .

Many manufacturers in the United States have set their sights on selling goods to the Chinese market, such as apparel and equipment. Taking advantage of an untapped market such as China, with its millions of prospective and yet untapped winter sports enthusiasts, could mean millions of extra dollars in revenue for the industry as a whole — which is simply unheard of anywhere else.

This expansion into China serves as a prime investment ground for many companies looking to build out their businesses and provide the marketplace with the ability to embrace the sport of skiing. After all, it's difficult to participate in the sport without a sturdy set of skis and the proper gear, even if you have access to a snowy mountain.

As the sport progresses within the country, tourism may rise at both European and North American ski resorts as the Chinese, with their booming middle class, may opt for a yearly family vacation to one of the larger, more traditional ski resorts to see what it's all about.

Based on Googles searches, Vermont on the East Coast has the most ski-related searches from 2014-2022. This is despite Vermont being the  second least-populated U.S. state after Wyoming  and the sixth-smallest mainland state.

How Did The Pandemic Affect The Ski Industry?

Not only did the pandemic affect the number of visitors to resorts during the years 2020 and 2021, it naturally affected the available job opportunities at these resorts and in the surrounding ski villages. If the number of visitors is declining, there naturally aren't as many employees manning the lifts and teaching lessons to newcomers.

As the nation experienced an overall lack of disposable income, the yearly ski trip became less of a priority for many families. Ski resorts largely depend on a younger crowd of seasonal workers, who have the ability to work long hours and move away from home for months at a time.

The North American resorts weathered the unexpected financial disruption relatively well and many of the seasonal employees are eager to make a comeback, as it's hard to beat a job where you're spending the day outdoors participating in the sport you have a passion for.

Despite the layoffs and period of uncertainty brought on by Coronavirus, these "ski bums" won't be kept from the mountain for long.

Due to the pandemic, the North American ski industry took a hit to the tune of 2 billion dollars . With the 2020 season cut short after many resorts shut down in March, there was simply no more revenue to be made.

For the resorts that did open during the 2021 season, there were many precautions in place that limited how many skiers could be on property at once. This had an effect on the number of visitors and turnout that the resorts managed to attract and led to a decrease in tourism from previous years

Will Climate Change Harm The Ski Industry?

When looking at the ski industry from the standpoint of the climate, there has been a consistent decline in the average snowfall each year. Down over 40% from the early 1980s, the ski and snowboarding season has shrunk by over a month.

Of course, resorts have combatted this by investing in state-of-the-art snowmaking machine s and are able to cover their hills in snow regardless of whether or not mother nature is cooperating. Smaller family-run ski hills have been most affected by the impacts of climate change, as they may be unable to spend hundreds of thousands on snowmaking capabilities.

In the winter arena of skiing and snowsports as a whole, snow is currency and without it — a ski hill will live or die based on its ability to provide a fully snow-covered ski area for its visitors.

Adapting to less natural snowfall is a requirement for many successful ski areas these days and unfortunately, without a great deal of upfront investment, many local areas can't compete with their well-funded competition.

With so many mountain communities relying on the economy of skiing, it can be a real detriment when multiple hills close down, effectively ending the jobs they brought with them. Along with a loss of jobs, many families can't afford a trip to Breckenridge and are forced to give up winter skiing if they don't have access to a more local hill.

It's difficult to say how much shorter the winter season will be cut over the next several decades and if the ski industry will be able to manufacture enough snow to manage the shortage.

The dichotomy of the industry is apparent when you consider the implications of tourism and the emissions into the environment by planes and cars. There is an urgent necessity to fight the climate crisis in order to have a ski season at all and for locals sitting in traffic for hours to even reach the mountain, the irony is obvious.

The ski industry is a powerful player in local and global economics and with much power yields much responsibility. With billions of dollars of revenue on the line, it can be incredibly detrimental to employees and the surrounding cities when tourism isn't quite up to the expected level.

While the industry as a whole is moving in a forward direction, the pandemic had a noticeable toll on the thousands of seasonal workers who flock to the ski hills every season. Though not a guaranteed job, it's one that many young people have come to consistently rely on every winter.

As skiing and more generally, snow sports, grow into untapped markets — revenue is expected to increase year over year and participation is on the rise. The industry has significant room to expand and it's certainly something to keep an eye on during the upcoming ski season .

Hello, I'm Simon & I love skiing. I started skiing in 2007 and I founded this website to help new skiers learn everything there is to know about skiing. NewToSki.com has grown to be a trusted resource for over a million skiers to plan their ski trips each year and learn more about every aspect of skiing. Be sure to join my email list for the best tips and handpicked deals each week.

About The Founder

Hello, I'm Simon & I love skiing. I started skiing in 2007 and I founded this website to help new skiers learn everything there is to know about skiing.

NewToSki.com has grown to be a trusted resource for over a million skiers to plan their ski trips each year and learn more about every aspect of skiing.

Be sure to join thousands of clever skiers who read my emails for the best tips and handpicked deals each week.

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Marriott: U.S. Market Is Cooling Amid Global Hotel Boom

Sean O'Neill , Skift

May 1st, 2024 at 12:06 PM EDT

Marriott execs cited a "normalization" in domestic U.S. vacation bookings, a potential warning sign for the post-pandemic travel frenzy. Still, with a strong dollar sending Americans overseas and a loyalty program topping 203 million members, Marriott seems well-positioned for a profitable year worldwide.

Sean O'Neill

Marriott raised its forecast for 2024 profitability on Wednesday after predicting continued travel demand worldwide. But analysts spent the earnings call focused on travel booking behavior in the U.S., where post-pandemic domestic demand may be cooling.

“We now expect higher year-over-year RevPAR [revenue per available room] growth in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and lower levels of RevPAR growth in the U.S., Canada, and Greater China,” said Leeny Oberg, chief financial officer.

The hotel operator raised its forecast for full-year EBITDA by 1.6% to $4.88 billion .

U.S. Domestic Vacation Demand Normalizing

Analysts grilled Marriott executives about what they were seeing in U.S. demand patterns. Some highlights:

• “We’re seeing a little more normalization in the U.S. and Canada, specifically on leisure,” said Anthony Capuano, president and CEO.
• Hotel-level profits at the U.S. properties Marriott manages were sluggish. In the first quarter, U.S. and Canadian hotels saw their RevPAR rise only 1.5% year-over-year.
• The overall picture remained difficult to assess. Marriott noted that its revenue per available room in the U.S. and Canada was above 2019 performance. But when Skift adjusted for inflation, the first-quarter revenue-per-available room figure was slightly below the 2019 level, underscoring the normalization in domestic vacation patterns.
• One complicating factor is that many Americans continue to travel abroad. So Americans may still travel in larger numbers this year than they did before the pandemic, just not as much domestically as in 2021.
• The U.S. dollar is stronger than roughly two-thirds of the world’s currencies, discounting the cost of many trips abroad for Americans. Thanks to currency shifts, Japan alone is roughly 30% cheaper than pre-pandemic.
• American intent to travel differs by age group, broadly speaking. For example, a large number of Americans over age 55 are feeling disproportionately flush with cash thanks to a recently booming stock market. Many of these are traveling abroad, and this older demographic is especially familiar with Marriott’s family of brands and its loyalty program.
• Another complicating factor is that Marriott’s properties are mostly “midscale” class and above, meaning they tend to be premium properties. As of today, the company has barely any economy and premium economy brands, which means its customer base isn’t fully representative of the travel market. In contrast, Wyndham, which is a large franchisor of budget and premium economy properties, saw weakness in the U.S. in the first quarter.

Marriott’s first-quarter results

• Marriott’s revenue rose about 6% to $1.5 billion, after stripping out revenue it collected and passed back to hotels.
• Marriott reported adjusted net income of $620 million, 4% less than a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA was $1.14 billion, up 4% year-over-year.
• Marriott had unit growth. It added 46,000 rooms, including about 37,000 from a licensing deal with MGM Resorts.
• Marriott’s loyalty program reached “around 203 million” members.

Accommodations Sector Stock Index Performance Year-to-Date

What am I looking at?  The performance of hotels and short-term rental sector stocks within the  ST200 . The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets, including international and regional hotel brands, hotel REITs, hotel management companies, alternative accommodations, and timeshares.

The Skift Travel 200 (ST200)  combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more hotels and short-term rental financial sector performance.

Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: earnings , hotel development , hotel earnings , marriott , marriott bonvoy , Marriott International

Photo credit: The new "Heavenly Bed," as of 2024, at a Westin in Washington, D.C. Source: Marriott

• Best overall
• Best for expensive trips
• Best for exotic trips
• Best for annual plans

How we reviewed travel insurance for seniors

Best travel insurance for seniors of may 2024.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Reaching your golden years doesn't mean your adventures have to end. In fact, in this stage of life, you'll hopefully have more time and resources to travel. But as a senior citizen, you'll want to ensure you have travel insurance that covers any health-related issues arise while you travel.

Our top picks for the best senior travel insurance

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for expensive trips: John Hancock Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic trips: World Nomads Travel Insurance

Best for annual plans: Travel Guard

How we rate the best senior travel insurance companies »

Compare travel insurance for seniors

Your health gets more unpredictable as you age, which makes travel insurance more important for seniors. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. The best travel insurance for seniors won't have too steep of a price hike compared to rates for younger travelers. It will have high coverage limits for emergency medical coverage, trip cancellations, and and emergency medical evacuation. It's also important that your travel insurance offers pre-existing condition waivers , ideally at no extra cost to the traveler. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance coverage for seniors in 2024.

Best overall: Allianz

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
• Single and multi-trip plans available
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
• Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance is one of the most widely recognized names in travel insurance, and it stands out as one of the top travel insurance providers for seniors. It offers a wide range of policies covering medical treatments overseas and emergency medical transport.

Allianz also provides options for varying trip lengths. Its annual multi-trip policies , for example, cover any trip you make during your policy period, even if they aren't yet planned, making it an excellent option for seniors who vacation multiple times per year.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for expensive trips: John Hancock

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 3 travel insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason rider available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable travel insurance premiums
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews of claims process are mixed
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers may not get specialty coverage for sports equipment and other high value items
• Trip cancellation for 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000 per person
• Medical evacuation coverage of up to $1,000,000

John Hancock Travel Insurance plans for seniors offer some of the best coverage available. It provides generous maximum benefit amounts while still offering affordable prices.

Each plan includes coverages like trip cancellation, emergency accident, and emergency medical, with the option to add benefits like CFAR (cancel for any reason) . Plus, getting a free online quote is a quick and straightforward process.

Read our John Hancock Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

World Nomads Travel Insurance is a great choice for active senior citizens under 70 who want comprehensive travel insurance. The key difference between World Nomads and many other providers is that it covers 200+ adventurous activities like scuba diving, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and even bungee jumping. In addition, World Nomads' trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage includes COVID-19-related issues. Many other insurers are excluding that type of coverage now.

For adventurous senior citizens over the age of 70 years, World Nomads suggests working with its partner, TripAssure .

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard  offers comprehensive insurance plans for shorter and longer trips. One of its more unique offerings is its Travel Guard Annual Plan.

This annual travel insurance comes with standard coverage benefits (trip delay, baggage loss, etc.) and substantial coverage amounts, which is important for seniors who travel multiple times per year. Travel Guard also offers a preexisting medical condition waiver, meaning those with certain medical issues can still gain coverage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review here.

Understanding travel insurance for seniors

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what travel insurance is and why it's particularly important for senior travelers. The best travel insurance offers financial protection against unexpected events affecting your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Types of coverage

• Medical Coverage: Ensures your medical expenses are covered in case of illness or injury.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage: Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
• Baggage Coverage: Covers loss, damage, or theft of personal items during your trip.

Benefits of travel insurance for seniors

• Peace of Mind: Knowing you're covered in case of emergencies can make your travel stress-free.
• Financial Protection: Shields you from potentially overwhelming medical costs and trip cancellations fees.
• Assistance Services: Many plans offer 24/7 assistance services, providing help whenever and wherever you need it.

Making the most of your plan

After choosing a plan, it's crucial to understand your policy fully and know what services are available to you in case of an emergency.

Understanding your policy

• Read the fine print and understand the claims process to avoid surprises.

Emergency assistance services

• Familiarize yourself with the emergency assistance services offered by your plan and keep all necessary contact information handy.

How to pick senior travel insurance

It's wise to compare several different travel insurance policies for the best coverage and pricing, as premiums vary widely between insurers and depend on factors like your age and travel destination.

That said, some of the more essential coverages to look for if you're a senior citizen include:

• Travel medical coverage - This coverage will pay for your medical bills outside the US.
• Medical evacuation coverage - If you're injured or become sick while traveling, this coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if your condition necessitates it.
• Preexisting conditions - Coverage for known health conditions. You'll need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time period from when you book your trip to qualify for a preexisting condition waiver .
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) - The name says it all! It'll cost extra and you'll need to purchase insurance early, but it's the most comprehensive trip cancellation coverage you can get. Note that CFAR insurance usually only covers up to 75% of your trip fees.
• Trip cancellation insurance - This coverage provides reimbursement for your prepaid and nonrefundable costs if you cannot make your trip due to an unforeseen event.
• Baggage delay insurance - This coverage will reimburse you for essentials like toiletries and clothes if your bags are delayed.
• Lost luggage insurance - This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount if your bags get lost en route.

Of these, the most critical to note are whether or not your policy covers preexisting conditions and the limits for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

Some insurance companies offer a waiver that will cover preexisting conditions. You'll have to follow the requirements for adding a waiver to your policy, like insuring the entire cost of your trip. Or purchase the policy within a specific time after making your first trip deposit payments.

You'll also want to find a policy with high maximum limits for travel medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These types of expenses can be substantial, so you want to have appropriate coverage.

When comparing senior travel insurance options, we looked at the following factors to evaluate each travel insurance provider:

• Coverage limits: We looked at each travel insurance company's coverage amounts for benefits like medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
• Flexibility: We looked at how customizable a policy is, so you can choose what your travel insurance policy covers .
• Coverage for preexisting conditions: Preexisting conditions are one of the more critical factors for travel insurance for senior citizens, so we looked at travel insurance companies that offer the best coverage for preexisting conditions.
• Price: We compared travel insurance providers offering reasonable basic and comprehensive coverage rates.
• Benefits geared towards seniors: We compared travel insurance companies that offer solid coverage for senior citizens, like medical evacuation, COVID-19 coverage, and trip cancellation.

You can read more about our insurance rating methodology here.

Seniors should look for travel insurance policies that offer comprehensive medical coverage, including for preexisting conditions and emergency medical evacuation. They should also consider policies with higher coverage limits to ensure adequate protection. Additionally, seniors should seek travel insurance plans that provide 24/7 assistance services, as well as coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and baggage protection.

The cost of senior travel insurance coverage can vary depending on your age, overall health, state of residence, travel destination, and length of your trip. However, assuming all other factors are the same, you'll pay more for travel insurance at 70 than at 30.

All travel insurance companies, except World Nomads, included in this guide offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy your policy within the qualifying period from when you placed your trip deposit.

Allianz is the best travel insurance for seniors due to its wide array of medical coverages and emergency medical transport. Allianz also offers multi-trip insurance policies , which could make sense for seniors who travel frequently.

In some instances, travel insurance companies will have age eligibility restrictions, often only insuring people 80 years old and younger.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Reporting by Aishwarya Jain and Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Milla Nissi

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