Club Med Launches First Asia-Pacific Snow Holiday Report

September 04, 2018 - 03:57
Club Med Launches First Asia-Pacific Snow Holiday Report

New Survey Reveals More Than 600,000 Hong Kongers Have Fallen In Love WithSnow Holidays In The Last 3 Years
 -- Sometimes In Surprising Ways


HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - September 4, 2018 - ClubMed, the Premium All-Inclusiveoperator and global ski holiday leader has unveiled Asia Pacific's firstsnow holiday* report, identifying key insights and influences that drive snow holidaysacross 11 markets, including findings for Hong Kong, with 5,500 respondents fromChina to Australia. With the support of independent market research specialist,Insightzclub, the 2018 report for Asia Pacific maps out a diverse,sophisticated and affluent market of travellers who are becoming avid snowhunters.

 

*Snow holidays aredefined in the scope of the survey as a trip of atleast 2 nights to a snow mountain destination of which ski or snowboard andother activities may be a part of.



 

Key Findings

  • 650,000 Hong Kongers and 238 million people from Asia Pacific have takena snow holiday in the last three years
  • While ski and snowboard are core to the snow holiday, a large variety of otheractivities are considered by Asia Pacific travellers. Hong Kong outperformedthe market slightly on ski and snowboard as a major activity at 67% vs AsiaPacific at 63%
  • More Hong Kongers cited relaxation (60%) or doing nothing as a majorconsideration on holiday -- far ahead of any other market. Asia Pacific averaged29%
  • Millennials are driving the Asia Pacific market
  • Japan and South Korea destinations top the region for snow holidays,while Switzerland is the top long haul destination
  • Summer mountain holidays are also growing in popularity
  • Hong Kongers have discovered the convenience of the all-inclusive premiumholiday with Club Med as the No.1 hotel brand for snow holidays amongst highincome earners




Sebastien Portes, GeneralManager of Club Med, Hong Kong and Taiwan said: "This research is a timelyinsight into what Asia Pacific & Hong Kong consumers enjoy on a snowholiday. The market is evolving rapidly in line with Asia's growing affluenceand interest can only grow fuelled by back-to-back Winter Olympics in PyeongChangand Beijing. Hong Kong has some unique points and it is going to flourish.

 

"This survey is anessential new tool that will allow us to inform and service our clients and regionalpartners as we understand how their habits and needs are developing and as weopen new mountain resorts regionally and globally," he added.



 

Millennials Lead Rapidly Growing Market

 

The snow holiday markethas seen a rapid growth in Asia Pacific in the last three years with anestimated universe of 238 million travellers including 138 million alone in thelast 12 months. The numbers correlate with the region's growing affluence anddesire to explore the world in a more experiential and different way whetherwith family or friends.

 

Not surprisingly, Chinais the largest market of snow enthusiasts followed by India and Japan. However,markets with little or no snow such as Hong Kong SAR, Singapore and Indonesia areshowing strong growth albeit from a smaller base as they seek moreexperience-based holidays, with fresh and clean air.

 

While the average age ofthe Asia Pacific snow holidaymaker is 38 years old, countries with largemillennial populations such as China, Malaysia, Indonesia and India are ata younger average age of 34 years old. Japan is the oldestaverage age of 45 in line with its national demographic. Hong Kong averages 39years old though a significant 39% of the market is made up of 25-34 year olds.

 

Currently snow holidays,remain the preserve of the new affluent class and above. 85% of Asian snowholiday goers enjoy a household income of USD 4,000 or more -- significantlyhigher than the comparable general Asia Pacific population at 33%.

 

Women Lead

 

Snow holidays aretraditionally male dominated but some markets point to a strong female bias andgrowing interest in outdoor snow adventures beyond skiing and snowboarding. Malaysia(57%), Hong Kong SAR (56%), Singapore (56%) and Australia (54%) led the rankingbias towards more female snow holidaymakers. Japan (83%) and India (70%) wereclear male strongholds.

 

More than Skiing

 

Unlike in North Americaand Europe markets which are very ski and snowboard centric, Asia Pacific travellersare looking for a much more diverse snow experience, sometimes with noski/snowboard practice at all. Hong Kongers who are renowned for working hardand playing hard, have cited that relaxation or doing nothing at all (60%) asan important activity when going to a mountain destination vs Asia Pacific at29%.

 

With food at the heart ofmany Asian cultures, it is not a surprise to see eating local delicacies (53%)top the list, followed by spending time with family and friends (51%) and othermountain fun activities (50%) rounding off the top three. Local attractions(47%) and contact with nature (47%) are also popular considerations. Spa makesinto the top 10 activities for a well-rounded holiday with resorts expected tobe well-equipped with access to all the necessary facilities.

 

In Love with Japan, Koreaand Switzerland

 

Nine out of 11 markets includingHong Kong reported Japan as their top choice for a snow holiday in the region.Famed for its scenery, abundance of activities, powder snow and cuisine, snowlovers flocked to Hokkaido within Japan.

 

Behind Hokkaido, resortsin South Korea were attractive across Asian markets, ranking second while thenascent Chinese snow holiday scene came in a strong fourth. With the conclusionof the Winter Olympics, PyeongChang in South Korea in 2018 and the BeijingWinter Olympics in 2022, interest in both these destinations continues to befuelled.

 

The surprise came fromSwitzerland, ranking third regionally and first amongst long haul destinationsfor APAC and Hong Kong snow holidaymakers. St Moritz in Switzerland was the toplong haul destination for Asians looking for a snow getaway. This was followedby Canada.

 

On average, 78% ofAsia-Pacific travellers stayed longer than four nights and 50% spent at leastUS$300 per day per person. While 85% of Hong Kong travellers were exclusively tohave a long stay.

 

In Asia Pacific, hotelsand resorts were the overwhelming accommodation of choice with 90% selectingthis option. High income Asian travellers are also placing a higher premium oncomfort and convenience when they travel on a snow holiday.

 

In the last 12 months,Club Med was a clear market leader when it comes to snow holidays (number 1hotel brand) in Hong Kong SAR, Singapore and Indonesia amongst the high incomegroup. With 80,000 Asia Pacific clients travelling to its mountain resorts worldwidein 2018, growing by 80% compared to last year, Club Med is getting close toleadership position in all Asia Pacific markets.

 

Not Just for Winter

 

Interest in the mountainsand snow holidays extends beyond the winter season with an incredible eight of every 10respondents in the survey citing intent to go on a mountain holiday in summerwithin the next two years.

 

Club Med Builds Regional& Global Ski Resort Leadership

 

With21 ski resorts in 5 countries, Club Med is expanding its leadership of themountains with ambitious growth plans to cater to global and regional demandfor snow holidays and new mountain adventures.

 

Following the opening ofClub Med Tomamu in Hokkaido in December 2017 alongside Club Med Sahoro situatedon a former Olympic site, Club Med is growing its resort portfolio in AsiaPacific in the next three years. It will open in Pyeongchang, South Korea andThaiwoo in China, 2 Olympic sites from the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.

 

In Europe, Club Med has 17snow resorts including one nestled on the globally-renowned and Asia's favouriteslopes of St Moritz. Club Med plans to open one new mountain resort in the Alpsevery year. It will also be back in North America with the opening of a resortin Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada in 2020-21.

 

The research for thefirst Club Med Asia Pacific Snow Holiday Report was conducted by Insightzclubin March 2018 among 5,500 respondents in 11 markets of Asia Pacific.

 

Club Med Winter PackageEarly Bird Offer

 

ClubMed is bringing special Early Bird Offers to Hong Kong travellers to experiencethe premium all-inclusive Winter holidays in its upscale resorts. Theall-inclusive holiday packages, including accommodation, ski pass and lessons,gourmet cuisine, kids clubs and open bar. The Early Bird Offer guarantees the bestprice for this Winter and must be booked by 12 October 2018 on www.clubmed.com.hk or call +852 3111 9388.

 

ABOUT CLUBMED

Club Med is the worldwide leader inupscale Premium All-Inclusive holidays. Guests have the freedom to enjoy thewide variety of services and activities that our Resorts offer, be it on theirown or with others. The extraordinary Club Med experience includes accommodationwith refined comfort, all gourmet meals, all-day bar and snacking, ski passesand snow sports with lessons, night entertainment and parties, as well aschildren's clubs for all ages. Guests get to enjoy true quality time with theirloved ones knowing that everything is safe and taken care of. Club Med offersthem the chance to discover amazing moments together, as well as become amazingthemselves.


With around 70 resorts located all overthe world, 21 being ski resorts, vacationers may look forward to spending atruly amazing holiday at exotic locations!

 

Website: www.clubmed.com.hk

Phone: +852 31119388



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