Industry News
A UK ski operator announced this week that they would be canceling all winter 20/21 bookings due to the ongoing health concerns caused by covid-19.
Announcement Regarding Winter Season 2020/21 pic.twitter.com/FGlNF71uBB
— Interski (@Interski) November 9, 2020
Interski, who has been offering ski packages to the Aosta Valley, Italy for 40-years, has “made the exceptionally difficult decision to cancel all bookings for the Winter 2020/21 season.”
We have been actively monitoring the development of the coronavirus situation both within the UK and in Italy. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved as we had all hoped. We have given a great deal of consideration to the various government restrictions on travel and tourism, and how to mitigate them, whether that be quarantine requirements, travel advice from the FCDO or the Department For Education, as well as in-resort limitations on the various activities to be enjoyed in the Aosta Valley.
Ultimately, the safety and enjoyment of our clients are of paramount importance and alas, we feel that we cannot ensure this nor meet the high standards of service to which our clients are accustomed. As a result of these restrictions and the trajectory of the Covid-19 situation across Europe, we have made the exceptionally difficult decision to cancel all bookings for the Winter 2020/21 season.
The current situation is negatively impacting all countries, economies , and individuals around the world and few people are unaffected. However, we have worked successfully in the Aosta Valley for nearly 40 years and we firmly intend to turn our attention towards Winter 2021/22 and another 40 years. As a company, we are fortunate in that our decades of success will allow us to weather the current storm and guarantee our return to normal activities from a position of strength.
On behalf of the whole Interski team, we would like to wish you the very best in these challenging times and to thank you for your ongoing support. We hope to see you soon in the beautiful Aosta Valley.
The Italian government has declared The Aosta Valley, Lombardy, and Piedmont as ‘Red Zones,’ meaning people can only leave their homes for essential reasons. Unfortunately, despite what we might think, skiing is not deemed essential.
The three areas, home to the country’s biggest and best ski areas, began the strictest form of lockdown on Friday, November 6, 2020. Calabria, in the south of the country, will join them. The restrictions are to be enforced for at least two weeks, and although not nationwide, will affect more than 25% of the country’s population.
The rules of the lockdown are:
- No one will be able to leave or enter a “red zone.”
- Citizens must stay home, except to go to work or shop for essentials.
- Citizens can also exercise near their homes but must wear masks.
- Factories will remain open, as will essential services such as pharmacies and supermarkets.
Four other UK operators have also canceled all holidays until the New Year, with trips scheduled to begin in December being canceled. The UK’s largest ski operator, Crystal Ski Holidays, announced that all their ski holidays are still scheduled to operate as planned.
France, Germany, and Austria have all entered lockdowns, forcing their ski resorts to close. So far, Switzerland has yet to capitulate to the ravaging pandemic. Last week, Winter Park Resort, in Grand County, CO, announced they would be postponing their opening day due to, among other things, ‘health concerns.’
