Topping the ranking of Italian ski resorts, Cortina is once again the “Queen of the Snow,” followed by Courmayeur and Madonna di Campiglio, according to Skipass Panorama Turismo, the Italian mountain tourism observatory promoted by ModenaFiere and conducted by JFC. Forecasts for the 2015–16 winter season are highly positive.
The Queen of the Snow reclaims her crown: according to the survey conducted by Skipass Panorama Turismo (ModenaFiere–JFC), Cortina d’Ampezzo is Italians’ most coveted destination for winter holidays. Top-tier hospitality, slopes, and services place Cortina at the top of the rankings, followed by Courmayeur and Madonna di Campiglio. As Skipass, the tourism and winter sports trade show running through Sunday at ModenaFiere, opens its doors, the mountain tourism observatory presents its snapshot of the 2015–16 season.
Total turnover across Italy’s winter mountain tourism industry is projected to exceed €10 billion, up +7.3% year-on-year, with matching growth in tourist arrivals (+7.8%) and overnight stays (+7.1%). Average spending for a week-long ski holiday will be €975 per person, while a weekend getaway will average €340 per person.
“The figures point to a winter season marked by optimism and confidence among industry operators, supported both by positive signals from key international markets and by a domestic recovery that is encouraging Italians to spend a bit more on holidays,” explains Massimo Feruzzi (JFC), lead researcher for Skipass Panorama Turismo.
Among key trends, the number of “Slons” (Snow Lovers No Skiers) continues to grow: in winter 2015/2016 this segment will reach 940,000 visitors, generating €330 million in revenue. The standout trend of the season, however, is the boom in ski mountaineering, which is up +37% to around 70,000 practitioners. Once reserved for a niche of expert mountaineers, ski touring combines the technical skill of mountaineering with the thrill of freeride descents. Finally, around 70,000 first-time skiers will hit the snow-covered slopes during the 2015–16 winter.
#VisionSkipass: reflections on the future of Italy’s White Mountains
As part of Skipass, the tourism and winter sports show running from October 29 to November 1, ModenaFiere is hosting an event that addresses the future of Italy’s winter mountain industry at a national level for the very first time—an ideas lab and forum bringing together national leaders and international influencers.
On Friday, October 30, starting at 3:00 p.m., #VisionSkipass will host a two-hour roundtable with leading industry representatives invited to tackle the key issues shaping the future success of the winter mountain supply chain and individual destinations. Aimed at charting a shared path and vision, the event is coordinated by Massimo Feruzzi (JFC), lead researcher for Skipass Panorama Turismo, ModenaFiere’s tourism observatory.
Drawing on the observatory’s projections and trend data for the 2015/2016 winter season, Feruzzi will moderate the discussion to identify priority areas of action for the future of Italy’s winter mountain sector.
Contributions from leading domestic figures will be complemented by video interviews and live links with international stakeholders. Taking part in the event are key public- and private-sector leaders from across the industry: Isabella De Monte, Member of the European Parliament and member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, alongside Emilia-Romagna Regional Tourism Councilor Andrea Corsini, Mayor of Courmayeur Mont Blanc Fabrizia Derriard, ANEF Confindustria National President Valeria Ghezzi, Alta Badia Tourism Board Director Roberto Huber, Cortina d’Ampezzo Hoteliers Association President Gherardo Manaigo, and Dolomiti Superski Marketing Director Gerhard Vanzi.
Also confirmed are Flavio Roda, President of the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI), and Luca Ubaldeschi, Deputy Editor of La Stampa.
for more information on the “Skipass Panorama Turismo” Mountain Tourism Observatory and Skipass Modena 2015, we recommend visiting the official website www.skipass.it
Photo credits: cortina.dolomiti.org
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