UK SKI TOUR OP BUYS FLEXISKI
28th May 2019
Last modified on September 10th, 2021
Hotelplan, which owns Inghams, Esprit Ski and Ski Total, has acquired the short-break specialist Flexiski.
The Hotelplan UK group has bought Flexiski for an undisclosed sum, though we understand it was at a “good” price.
The purchase was from Flexiski’s parent company, Travelopia.
Flexiski has operated tailor-made short-stay ski holidays since 1990.
It currently offers five chalets and more than 175 hotels across 48 resorts in France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Canada and Japan.
It will make it easier for Hotelplan to expand its market for shorter ski breaks and take over the properties run by Flexiski.
It is a very interesting development and the sale comes at a time of more demand for flexible ski breaks rather than seven-night weekend-to-weekend offerings.
There are a number of small, specialist operators, such as Skiweekender, that have carved out the successful niche business offering short breaks.
It will be interesting to see how one of the major UK operators runs the business – what they offer and at what price.
Flexiski, operating since 1990. Image c/o Flexiski.
“We are excited to welcome such a highly respected name to our existing family of specialist brands, and further strengthen our position in the flexible tailor-made sector,” Hotelplan UK’s CEO, Paul Carter, said.
“Hotelplan UK has a strong tradition of excellence and high standards of quality and service, tremendous customer loyalty and experienced teams with incredibly deep product expertise.
“Flexiski fits perfectly with the overall philosophy, direction and ambition of the Hotelplan Group.”
New to the Hotelplan stable
Flexiski’s General Manager, Peter Hillyard, said the tailor-made wintersports sector was growing fast.
“We are looking forward to joining forces and operating within a group with such long-standing experience in the Alps and with an enthusiastic team of like-minded ski specialists at our new home with Hotelplan.”
Flexiski joins Hotelplan’s existing companies.
They are Inghams, which offers Ski and Lakes & Mountains holidays as well as trips to Lapland and Italy; family ski specialist Esprit Holidays; chalet specialist Ski Total; Santa’s Lapland short breaks; Inntravel (self-guided walking and cycling experts); and Explore Worldwide (small groups adventure travel specialists).
Flexiski will move from its current offices in Surbiton, Surrey, to Hotelplan’s offices in Godalming, Surrey.
