Asia Pacific’s first snow holiday report, published by Club Med, identified key insights and influences that drive snow holidays across 11 markets with 5,500 respondents from China to Australia.
Snow holidays are defined in the scope of the survey as a trip of at least 2 nights to a snow mountain destination of which ski or snowboard and other activities may be a part of.
The snow holiday market has seen rapid growth in Asia Pacific in the last three years with an estimated universe of 238 million travellers including 138 million alone in the last 12 months. The numbers correlate with the region’s growing affluence and desire to explore the world in a more experiential and different way whether with family or friends.
Not surprisingly, China is 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 are showing strong growth albeit from a smaller base as they seek more experience-based holidays, and fresh, clean air.
While the average age of the snow holidaymaker is 38 years old, countries with large millennial populations such as China, Malaysia, Indonesia and India are a younger average age of 34 years old. Japan is the oldest average age of 45 in line with its national demographic.
Currently snow holidays, remain the preserve of the new affluent class and above. 85% of Asian snow holiday goers enjoy a household income of USD 4,000 or more — significantly higher than the comparable general Asia Pacific population at 33%.
Women Lead
Snow holidays are traditionally male dominated but some markets point to a strong female bias and growing interest in outdoor snow adventures beyond skiing and snowboarding. Hong Kong SAR (57%), Singapore (56%), Malaysia (58%) and Australia (54%) led the ranking bias towards more female snow holidaymakers. Japan (83%) and India (70%) were clear male strongholds.
More than Skiing
Unlike in North America and Europe markets which are very ski and snowboard centric, Asia Pacific travellers are looking for a much more diverse snow experience, sometimes with no ski/snowboard practice at all.
With food at the heart of many 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 other mountain fun activities (50%) rounding off the top three. Local attractions (47%) and contact with nature (47%) are also popular considerations. Spa makes into the top 10 activities for a well-rounded holiday with resorts expected to be well-equipped with access to all the necessary facilities.
Significantly, 29% also cited doing nothing as a reason to go to a mountain destination indicating a desire to just get away from it all and enjoy their environment.
In Love with Japan, Korea & Switzerland
Nine out of 11 markets reported Japan as their top choice for a snow holiday in the region. Famed for its scenery, abundance of activities, powder snow and cuisine, snow lovers flocked to Hokkaido within Japan.
Behind Hokkaido, resorts in South Korea were attractive across Asian markets, ranking second while the nascent Chinese snow holiday scene came in a strong fourth. With the conclusion of the Winter Olympics, PyeongChang in South Korea in 2018 and the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, interest in both these destinations continues to be fuelled.
The surprise came from Switzerland, ranking third regionally and first amongst long haul destinations.
For Indian snow enthusiasts, Switzerland was the most popular destination, partly fuelled by the prominence of the country in its Bollywood movie scene. St Moritz in Switzerland was the top long haul destination for Asians looking for a snow getaway.
On average, 78% of Asia-Pacific stayed longer than four nights and 50% spent at least US$300 per day per person.
In Asia Pacific, hotels and resorts were the overwhelming accommodation of choice with 90% selecting this option. High income Asian travellers are also placing a higher premium on comfort 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 1 hotel brand) in Hong Kong SAR, Singapore and Indonesia amongst the high income group. With 70,000 Asia Pacific clients travelling to its mountain resorts worldwide in 2018, growing by 60% compared to last year, Club Med is getting close to leadership position in all Asia Pacific markets.
Not Just for Winter
Interest in the mountains and snow holidays extends beyond the winter season with an incredible eight of every 10 respondents in the survey citing intent to go on a mountain holiday in summer within the next two years.
Club Med Builds Regional & Global Ski Resort Leadership
With 21 ski resorts in 5 countries, Club Med is expanding its leadership of the mountains with ambitious growth plans to cater to global and regional demand for snow holidays and new mountain adventures.
Following the opening of Club Med Tomamu in Hokkaido in December 2017 alongside Club Med Sahoro situated on a former Olympic site, Club Med is growing its resort portfolio in Asia Pacific in the next three years. It will open in PyeongChang, South Korea and Thaiwoo in China, 2 Olympic sites from the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.
In Europe, Club Med has17 snow resorts including one nestled on the globally-renowned and Asia’s favourite slopes of St Moritz. Club Med plans to open one new mountain resort in the Alps every year. It will also be back in North America with the opening of a resort in Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada in 2020-21.
The research for the first Club Med Asia Pacific Snow Holiday Report was conducted by Insightzclub in March 2018 among 5,500 respondents in 11 countries of Asia Pacific.
