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Fewer Russians, More British & Belgians in Meribel this Winter

~10% Decline expected in the Russian market this season

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Meribel Editor Updated

Since the Ukraine crisis began and tensions between Russia and the West have been building, the European tourist industry has been bracing itself for a decline in sales, expected to be as much as 10%.

Early booking statistics in French ski resorts have proven to be positive so far, but there has been a noticeable decline in the number of Russian customers booking their ski holidays overseas.

The Russian market is famous for filling the 'January gap', with their New Year falling later than ours and bridging the otherwise quiet period between new year and the February half term holidays. Their big spending habits are bound to be missed, not only in accommodation bookings, but in fashion & ski clothing outlets, restaurants, taxis, transfer companies and airlines.

Whilst a lot of Russians will be staying home for their ski holidays this year, the uber-rich set will still of course be able to afford to visit.

In place of the missing ~10% of Russians, booking statistics have shown an increase in the number of British and Belgians looking to come to French ski resorts. The Belgian winter school holidays don't overlap with the French and there is expected to be a positive increase in their numbers this winter.