Esprit, the UK's number 1 family ski holiday company this week gives their customers the reassurance needed to travel with confidence this coming winter.

Travel restrictions have begun to lift, and the ski industry has seen an increase in the number of skiers and snowboarders making plans to return to the snow following the COVID-19 crisis—and now families are doing the same. Highlighting this, a survey* conducted once the UK lockdown had begun showed 92.6% of Esprit customers asked were intending to ski in winter 20/21. In response, the UK family-friendly ski specialist are offering holidaymakers that extra peace of mind by keeping families updated with their plans to help keep everyone as safe as possible this winter.

From letting families know their money's safe to delivering extra safeguards. Esprit are offering those who've already booked and those thinking about booking—the reassurance needed to plan a well-deserved family break to the mountains.

The health and safety of every family who travels with Esprit is a top priority. With this in mind, Esprit are operating a smaller programme for the upcoming winter 2020/21 season, one they are confident can deliver the highest health and safety measures. With a more focused selection of destinations on offer and the high numbers of customers intending to hit the slopes this winter, families may need to be quicker off the mark than usual if they want to book their desired trip.

In a statement from Esprit, Paul Carter, CEO said:

“More and more people are beginning to think about their winter holidays. Despite the many uncertainties regarding COVID-19, we would like parents to know that we're doing all we can to ensure they can enjoy time with the kids and time for themselves on the slopes this winter.

Throughout the COVID-19 crises we have strived to do the right thing and be open about our efforts. We have already seen many new bookings for 2021, and therefore, we feel it is important to keep our customers informed about what we're doing to help keep them safe whilst on their holiday.”

The Esprit' 'In Safe Hands' campaign explains:

Esprit customers' money's safe

• Esprit is ATOL & ABTA protected. These schemes are backed by the government, so whatever happens, customers' money is protected.
• The family ski specialist will continue to deliver their COVID-19 refund promise. If things change and they have to cancel a holiday because of COVID-19, customers can pick another trip, or get a full refund. 
• Low deposits to reserve holidays will continue. Holidays can be reserved for just £150pp, when booked before the end of September.**
• There are no amendment fees if customers need to change something.*** 
• Esprit are part of a much bigger family of businesses. Their parent company is a large Swiss supermarket and retailer called Migros, so as a group, they're stronger.
  

Esprit are helping families stay safe on holiday

In preparation for family ski trips this winter, Esprit are busy working with their teams in resort and making plans in line with the local guidelines of each area to help keep everyone safe.

Childcare will stay at the heart of Esprit:

Whilst Esprit are reviewing all of their childcare processes, and there will be additional cleaning services and procedures in place. They're also highlighting their extensive experience and some of the things they're already doing to help keep families safe.

• Esprit operate small group sizes of up to 8, based on ski school groupings. Children also remain in the same group throughout the holiday week.
• Children eat within the same group, with food and drink served by Esprit team members.
• Esprit have a key worker system so children will stay with the same small team of staff throughout the week, and they have strict children to staff ratios.
• The team are trained in deep cleaning and the prevention of spread of infection and illness processes.
• Esprit operate a Childcare Guarantee and are confident that their childcare services are the best in the ski industry.

Whilst it may be necessary to make changes to help keep everyone safe following COVID-19, Esprit want parents to rest assured that the tour operator will continue to do their very best to make sure the Esprit Ski childcare experience is everything their customers expect it to be.

For the accommodation Esprit manage:

• All Esprit staff will have COVID-specific hygiene training, along with safety equipment (PPE).
• The Esprit team will be disinfecting all communal areas several times a day, with deep cleans every transfer day.
• There will be midweek room cleans, but customers can choose not to have them if they prefer no one goes into their room.
• There will no longer be any self-service food. Meals will be served from a buffet or at tables—distanced from other's tables—by staff wearing appropriate PPE.
• Esprit local staff will have temperature checks before every shift. Resort reps will manage everything from a central point, electronically and over the phone where possible.
• Opening hours and numbers of guests in spa areas, hot tubs and swimming pools may be restricted, depending on local regulations. Where they're open, there will be lots of extra cleaning and disinfecting.

Everyone, including Esprit staff, will be expected to wear face masks or coverings when travelling on any public transport to and from the resort, in line with all local regulations.****

All Esprit partner hotels will be managed locally, compliant with the COVID-19 laws of that country. They will only work with carefully chosen, trusted partners.

Esprit are with their customers at every step

• The Esprit team are available to give advice while customers are thinking about booking or preparing to go away.
• When on holiday, Esprit local staff will be there to support guests if they need it. The family orientated tour operator would like their customers to know—they're never on their own.
• Esprit can be judged by their actions. Once it was clear that destinations were shutting down at the end of the 19/20 ski season, and that lockdown was coming, the Esprit team got everyone home as fast as possible, postponed holidays to next year and gave everyone a refund if they wanted one.
• With 38 years of trust and experience, Esprit were touched by the vote of confidence from their customers during a crisis the world has never seen before. Customers demonstrated their trust in the brand, with many postponing the holidays they had already booked rather than cancelling. The family ski holiday tour operator has formally thanked its loyal customers on their website.
  

Terms & conditions 
*In a survey conducted by Ski Club of Great Britain and Spike Marketing in partnership with Esprit in Spring 2020.
**The final balance is due 10 weeks before departure. For some dates Esprit might need to increase the deposit a little if the holiday includes a scheduled flight rather than one of their charters.
***Esprit have scrapped their general amendment fee until the date when the final balance is due. Most of their partners have done this too, giving customers the flexibility to make changes. If any partners do charge a fee, Esprit might have to pass it on to the customer though.
**** In some countries, children under 11 years of age are exempt from wearing face masks or coverings. Customers will need to bring their own face mask or covering.

-ENDS-

Company Information

Esprit is the number one company for family skiing. With over 38 years' experience, Esprit covers every angle for the skiing family with dedicated, flexible childcare services for children aged from 17 weeks to 12 years. These include specialist Baby and Toddler (BAT) Weeks, exclusive Esprit ski classes and fun-filled activity clubs in Europe's best ski resorts for families, which means parents can enjoy a mix of skiing and relaxing together whilst the children are looked after, and spending quality time together as a family on holiday.

For more information, visit www.espritski.com 

Contact details:  Jenny Nicholls, PR Consultant

jenny@nichollsmpr.co.uk  07773205464