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After the outbreak of the Ukrainian War, wealthy Russians seem to have abandoned their luxurious alpine ski resorts.
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The chalet operator told insiders that Russia’s reservations for next season are “not noticeable.”
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Luxury chalets in the exclusive excursion of the Courchevel 1850 can cost between $ 60,000 and $ 250,000 a week.
The most luxurious alpine ski chalet has a dance floor, bowling alley and even a private casino.They are popular among Oligarch And other wealthy Russians who can pay weekly rents that may reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Tim LatimerFounder and Director Firefly collectionLuxury chalet rental operators at some luxury alpine resorts have said that many of his Russian clients will get the highest quality chalets each year – but the situation has changed since Russia invaded Ukraine. It has been changed.
“Usually we expected to see some Russian bookings for next season at this stage, but those requests have a noticeable absence,” Latimer told insiders. “Obviously, even Russians who are not directly affected by sanctions are cautious and refrain from booking at this stage.”
He said earlier this year a Russian family who was staying in one of the firefly chalets got up and left in the middle of their stay.
Since the beginning of the Ukrainian War, all business owners have reported that the level of Russia’s tourism industry has fallen. A A five-star hotel in Vietnam’s “Little Russia” said it spent nearly $ 44,000 upgrading equipment. For that Russian visitor who never appeared.
Latimer said that even a small reduction in bookings had a “significant” financial impact on his business, as many Russian clients tend to book more expensive properties.
Fireflies rent luxury chalets at resorts such as Courchevel and Meribel in France and Verbier and Zermatt in Switzerland.
Latimer said the most luxurious head to Courchevel 1850, “Russia’s favorite ski resort” with several “super chalets” with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, cinema and massage room. ..
Rent the finest chalets on the Kurschwer 1850 can cost between $ 60,000 and $ 250,000 a week, depending on the season, Latimer said. He said food and drinks weren’t usually included, which means most clients incurred additional costs of up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Russian customers “tend to spend a lot of money,” Latimer said.
Two years after being “disastrous” for the travel industry during a pandemic, Latimer said, “We really need some stability to get back into the industry. The outlook for Russians traveling to Europe this ski season seems pretty bleak. The timing is terrible because you can see it. “”
As an additional disadvantage, Latimer said firefly ski chalet prices were “significantly” across the French Alps due to rising operating costs such as “rising labor costs, rising energy costs, and general inflation.” It has risen. ” The higher pricing was to “reduce the potential audience” of the firefly chalet, Latimer said.
The apparent disappearance of wealthy Russian customers has raised concerns for luxury ski chalet operators, Latimer said. “Our main concern is that the war in Ukraine will escalate and cause travel turmoil across Europe. It will be disastrous for the industry as a whole.”
But he suggested that wealthy individuals from other parts of the world would be eager to replace the wealthy Russians.
Are you a business owner affected by the war with Ukraine in Russia? In that case, please contact [email protected]
Read the original article Business Insider