Mountain resorts in the Limassol province of Cyprus are experiencing a surge in development, with new investments and individuals settling permanently in these locales. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed in order to sustain this growth. One of the main issues is the lack of promotion for outdoor activities and alternative offerings in these resorts. Christos Tsanos, president of the Hoteliers Association of Limassol, has emphasized the need for immediate action from the Ministry of Tourism and local authorities to promote rural tourism throughout the year. Tsanos also highlighted the significant shortage of staff in hotels and called for expedited procedures to address this issue. He expressed concerns about the difficulties in employing asylum seekers in the tourism sector due to delays in the examination process for their applications [fc64a790].
Meanwhile, in mountain resort towns in the western U.S., luxury hotels are facing struggles due to reduced snowfall. A report reveals that in mid-December, 17 resorts in the Rocky Mountains had lower occupancy rates than normal, with snowpack at about 67% of its normal volume in Blaine County, Idaho. Higher room rates and school break schedules also contributed to the issue. Bookings were below normal in consecutive months, down 7% in January, 18% in February, 1% in March, and 19% in April. May is showing a sharp decline at -60%. Italian ski resort Mount Terminillo also experienced no snowfall this winter, impacting local businesses. The reduced snowfall is a challenge for ski areas across the 37 states and six regions in which they operate. If emissions continue on the current path, the U.S. ski industry will be unrecognizable. The article highlights the need for green solutions to combat the effects of reduced snowfall on the economy and tourism [df28144a].
Climate change is affecting ski resorts and the local economy. The arid soil caused by climate change affects the ability of ski resorts to retain quality snow and impacts water resources. Rising temperatures also contribute to the spread of tree parasites, which kill large trees and disrupt ecosystems. Monarch Mountain Ski Resort in Salida, Colorado is a significant part of the local economy, providing jobs and attracting tourists. However, the ski resort industry is nervous about the effects of climate change, especially for resorts that do not have artificial snowmaking. Aspen Snowmass, a ski resort in Colorado, has implemented measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as developing higher-elevation terrain and improving snowmaking capacity. They also emphasize the need for social movements and political involvement to address climate change. The article highlights the importance of addressing climate change to protect ski resorts and the local economy [3104cdb9].
Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, Virginia has introduced the Mission Affordability initiative to reduce prices and expand offerings for the 2024-25 seasons. The resort aims to provide a more affordable experience for its guests by freezing or reducing prices for most of its recreation and activity offerings across all four seasons. This includes the Mission Affordable season pass program, which also offers special lodging packages and dining deals. Additionally, Wintergreen Resort will offer a free program to learn how to ski or snowboard, further enhancing the accessibility of winter sports. For the spring, summer, and fall months, the resort will have reduced rates for golf and racquet sports, as well as other special passes. The Mission Affordability initiative is a response to the inflationary impacts across the US economy in recent years and seeks to make the resort experience more accessible to a wider range of guests [db7394c1].