- RECORD ACTIVITY IN THE 1ST QUARTER FOR LEISURE PARKS AND
- SUSTAINED SKI AREA ACTIVITY IN THE 2ND QUARTER
Compagnie des Alpes recorded 1st half FY 2021/2022 sales of €541.2 million, an increase of 16.2% compared with the 1st half of 2018/2019 (restated to reflect the removal from consolidation of Les 2 Alpes), the last full financial year before the health crisis. This good performance was driven by the Group’s two core businesses. Leisure Parks reported record activity in the 1st quarter, while activity for Ski Areas was sustained in the 2nd quarter, which typically accounts for three quarters of the division’s annual sales.
Ski Areas: a very good ski season is coming into focus
Ski Area sales for the 1st half of FY 2021/2022 amounted to €392.1 million, up by 11.3% compared with the same reference period in FY 2018/2019, the last full financial year prior to the health crisis. The positive calendar effect of the 1st quarter (related to the positioning of school holiday periods with respect to December 31st) was fully offset in the 2nd quarter.
The decline in the number of skier days for the 1st half was limited to -5% compared to the 1st half of FY 2018/2019. This percentage improved steadily throughout the first half thanks to the easing of travel restrictions between the United Kingdom and France, as well as to good French school holidays in February, and better numbers in March of this year than for the same period in 2018/2019.
Average revenue per skier day increased by about 15% compared with the 1st half of FY 2018/2019. This increase reflects a less intermediated client mix, related specifically to the absence of British clients until mid-January; a more favorable mix of packages sold; and the cumulative effect of price increases over the last three years.
Despite last year’s “blank” season, Compagnie des Alpes pursued its ski resort investment strategy. As a result, several emblematic projects were brought into commission, in particular at Les Arcs (a panoramic terrace, a zipline, and the restaurant for the Aiguille Rouge; a gondola ensemble, a panoramic terrace, and a museum for Vallandry at Peisey), Les Ménuires (a new gondola for Pointe de la Masse), and La Plagne (a new gondola for Lovatière), several lifts or other structuring amenities that have enhanced the ski offering and customer experience and which, for the most part, are also designed to improve the summer seasonal offer.
Leisure Parks: a record first half
Leisure Park sales for the 1st half of financial year 2021/2022 rose by 29.3% compared with the same period in 2018/2019, totaling €120.4 million.
During the 1st half of the year, this business unit’s activity is typically more intense in the 1st quarter, which saw a record high of almost €100 million, an increase of more than 40% compared with the same period of financial year 2018/2019. Much more modest in terms of contribution, the 2nd quarter saw sales decline slightly due to a calendar effect (the second week of the Christmas holiday in 2018/2019 came in January whereas, in 2021/2022, it fell in the month of December).
For the 1st half as a whole, attendance at the parks was up by more than 10% compared with the same period in financial year 2018/2019.
Average spend per visitor increased by 19% versus the same period in 2018/2019. This performance was driven by the optimization of sales channels and by much more refined management of sales offers, both of which are the fruit of investments the Group has made in its digital strategy and the experience its teams have accumulated in this area. The increase in average spend per visitor also continued to be driven by the increase in in-park sales, which include the good performance of the Parc Astérix hotels. To a lesser extent, it was also positively impacted by the aggregate effect of price increases enacted over these last three financial years.
Holdings and Support
Holdings & Support sales reached €28.7 million for the 1st half of financial year 2021/2022, which is an increase of more than 40% compared with the same period in financial year 2018/2019. This increase is primarily the result of the inclusion of the Compagnie des Alpes real estate businesses in the scope of consolidation as of October 1, 2021, a dynamic activity whose occupancy rate for apartments under management showed an increase.
Excluding real estate agencies, the increase in sales amounted to just under 5%. TravelFactory reported a satisfactory level of activity not only in the French market but also in the United Kingdom, in the Netherlands, and in Belgium, all of which are key countries for ski resort international clients.
The activity of Travelfactory was also driven by the launch of Travelski Express (the rail link between London and Bourg-Saint-Maurice), with service finally beginning in at the end of January when the French-UK border was reopened.
Outlook
- Ski Areas
- Leisure Parks
In fact, the Group can rely on the reinforcement of the appeal of its sites with significant new attractions at Parc Astérix (Tonnerre 2 Zeus), as well as at Futuroscope (Chasseur de Tornades), Bellewaerde (new show), and Familypark (new Flume Ride), while the Walibi Belgium site can count on the full year impact of its mega Coster Kondaa.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the prospects and growth strategies of Compagnie des Alpes and its subsidiaries (the “Group”). These statements include indicators pertaining to the Group's intentions, strategies, growth outlook and operating result trends, financial situation, and cash position. Although these indicators are based on data, assumptions, and estimates that the Group considers to be reasonable, they are subject to many risk factors and uncertainties such that the actual results may differ from those anticipated or induced by these indicators due to a multitude of factors, in particular those described in the documents registered with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), available on the Compagnie des Alpes website (www.compagniedesalpes.com). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflects the information given by the Group as of the date of this document. Legal obligations to the contrary notwithstanding, the Group expressly decline any obligation to revise or update these provisional statements in light of new information or future developments.
Upcoming events and releases in FY 2021/2022:
- 2021/2022 1st half results: Tuesday, May 24, 2022, after stock market
- 2021/2022 3rd quarter sales: Thursday, July 21, 2022, after stock market
- 2021/2022 4th quarter sales: Thursday, October 20, 2022, after stock market
- 2021/2022 annual results: Tuesday, December 6, 2022, before stock market
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