‘Cold weather’ the No 1 barrier to skiing holidays for Hong Kong people, survey finds; those who do go spend big and see it as status boost

‘Enhancing their personal image’ and status motivates Hongkongers to hit the slopes, but cold weather is the biggest barrier to them going on a snow holiday

So says the Club Med Asia Snow Report, which also finds that when they do plan a snow holiday, Hongkongers expect to spend more than other Asian travellers

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A Club Med snow holiday resort in Hokkaido, Japan. The country was the No 1 choice of Hong Kong travellers and those from elsewhere in East Asia, although not China, who have recently taken a skiing holiday or plan to take one in the next two years, according to a Club Med survey. Photo: Club Med

Published: 5:51pm, 4 Jan 2024Updated: 6:12pm, 4 Jan 2024

Hong Kong people who take snow holidays see “cold weather” as the greatest barrier to ski vacations, according to a survey by resort operator Club Med.

Of the Hong Kong respondents – all of whom have taken or plan to take a snow holiday – 46 per cent were prepared to brave the cold because “ice and snow sports can enhance their personal image and serve as a status symbol”, it found.

And when Hongkongers do go skiing, they – along with Malaysians – are prepared to spend more on a trip than travellers from other major Asian markets, Club Med found.

Hongkongers’ number one choice of destination for skiing trips is Japan, according to the survey by Club Med, which describes itself as a global leader in snow holidays.

Club Med Sahoro, an all-inclusive resort in Hokkaido, Japan. Photo: Club Med

The survey, conducted in September 2023, found that of the 511 Hongkongers interviewed – all between the ages of 24 and 64 and having been on a snow holiday in the past five years or planning one in the next two years – 39 per cent selected Japan as their most favoured destination, followed by Switzerland (30 per cent) and Canada (29 per cent).