The resorts of the Pays de Savoie are smiling as the Christmas holidays approach. They all have good booking rates, sometimes identical to those of 2019 which was a banner year.
Rates of 60 to 85% for the Christmas holidays
Christmas week, we are on 60 to 70% on average (i.e. a delay of 13 points compared to two years ago) while on New Year’s week, we are at more than 80% and some stations are almost full.
It must be said that beyond the uncertainty linked to the health crisis, there is very good snowfall and a catch-up phenomenon for those who could not ski last year.
“We really feel when we have people on the phone, this desire to come back to the mountains and find the slopes“- Rémy Counil the director of the tourist office of La Plagne
In La Plagne, the director of the tourist office did not expect such enthusiasm. Booking rates are equivalent to 2019, 70% for Christmas week and the station is almost full for the new Year. “We really feel when we have people on the phone, this desire to come back to the mountains and find the slopes“, explains Rémy Counil.
According to Savoie Mont Blanc, customers are much less worried about the health situation, which has a positive influence on reservations. “By asking our customers for our barometer, we see that more than 90% of people are vaccinated and therefore have their health pass“, according to Carole Duverney, the head of the observatory.
In-station screening centers
The only downside is the foreign clientele. Savoie Mont Blanc notes a big wave of cancellations for the Christmas holidays, especially among the British. “In fact, children and young people are not vaccinated like in our country, so families who come to the resort must have their teenagers tested every day.“, explains Sébastien Mérignargues, director of the Avoriaz tourist office, a resort very popular with foreigners.
As a result, many stations have set up screening centers to allow those who are not vaccinated to obtain their sanitary pass to go skiing or to go to the restaurant.