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The Economic Sustainability of Snow Tourism: The Case of Ski Resorts in Austria, France, and Italy

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  • Jordi Moreno-Gené

    (Department of Business Management, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II, 73, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Laura Sánchez-Pulido

    (Department of Business Management, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II, 73, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Eduard Cristobal-Fransi

    (Department of Business Management, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II, 73, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Natalia Daries

    (Department of Business Management, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II, 73, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyse whether ski resorts in Europe are economically viable. Data originates from the financial statements of the 61 largest ski lift operators in Austria, France, and Italy. Descriptive statistics reveal that these operators are characterized by positive and relatively high returns, and by having little debt in general terms. The results show that the most economically profitable ski operators are also the largest. The elevation of the ski area is not relevant. Ski lift operators in Austria have a higher profitability than those in France and Italy. Overall, larger ski resorts are better prepared for the future investment needed to adapt to the new conditions in the industry, such as climate variability.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordi Moreno-Gené & Laura Sánchez-Pulido & Eduard Cristobal-Fransi & Natalia Daries, 2018. "The Economic Sustainability of Snow Tourism: The Case of Ski Resorts in Austria, France, and Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3012-:d:165604
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    5. Jesús Barreal & Berta Ferrer-Rosell & Eduard Cristobal-Fransi & Gil Jannes, 2021. "Influence of Service Valuation and Package Cost on Market Segmentation: The Case of Online Demand for Spanish and Andorra Ski Resorts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-20, March.
    6. Martin Falk & Robert Steiger, 2020. "Size facilitates profitable ski lift operations," Tourism Economics, , vol. 26(7), pages 1197-1211, November.
    7. Alireza Javanmardi Kashan & Kavoos Mohannak & Mirko Perano & Gian Luca Casali, 2018. "A Discovery of Multiple Levels of Open Innovation in Understanding the Economic Sustainability. A Case Study in the Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, December.
    8. Kun Sun & Xiaoli Tian & Jing Xia & Mian Ou & Chengcai Tang, 2023. "The Market Responses of Ice and Snow Destinations to Southerners’ Tourism Willingness: A Case Study from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-22, September.
    9. Ayana Yangutova & Suocheng Dong & Hao Cheng & Shuangjie Xu & Fujia Li & Zehong Li & Menghan Zhang & Jingwen Li & Tcogto Bazarzhapov & Tamir Boldanov, 2023. "Assessing the Competitiveness of the Ski Resources around Lake Baikal (Russia) and Measures for Their Further Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-21, July.
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    11. Hannes Wallimann, 2022. "A complementary product of a nearby ski lift company," Tourism Economics, , vol. 28(2), pages 418-434, March.

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