UK ski industry grows, report finds
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The UK ski industry grew by 1% last winter, the first increase the market has seen in the last four seasons.
According to a report by Crystal Ski, the market, which has undergone a continuous decline of late, saw an increase of 1% in packages including lift passes, equipment and catering. The increase is being put down to a decent snow fall across much of Europe and an early Easter.
Overall the number of people skiing increased by 5,000 year-on-year which is the first rise since 2007/8.
The school market, however, continued its downward trend by declining a further 2%.
Simon Cross, managing director Crystal Ski, said: “As anticipated, last year the decline in the ski market has now bottomed out and we are starting to see signs of recovery and growth. However, we cannot rest on our laurels and need to continue to deliver exceptional value, innovation and great service if we are to see the market return to pre-recession levels.
With initiatives from Snowsport England, the indoor ski centres in the UK, our own first time ski or board promotions and the efforts of resorts in Europe and beyond, there is a real focus on attracting new or lapsed skiers to the market. This focus, combined with the additional exposure that the Winter Olympics in Sochi will bring to the sport, should ensure that the growth that we experienced last season is the start of the recovery.”
Crystal Ski grew its market lead by 1% to 34%.
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