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Turning Crans-Montana in Switzerland into a holiday destination with just as much appeal as its European neighbours for visitors from Bahrain is what the Valais resort is proposing this winter thanks to its ‘33 carat’ offer.
The two neighbouring resorts of Crans and Montana are situated at an altitude of 1,500m on a sun-drenched plateau high above the Rhone Valley.
Together they form one of the biggest holiday destinations in the Valais. These twin towns have much to offer, including an impressive view of the chain of mountain peaks from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc and a particularly wide programme of activities all year round.
Idyllic mountain village, or alpine town? Crans-Montana embodies both and combines all the comforts of a modern holiday resort with an expansive natural landscape and panoramic views of the Valais Alps.
The modern side of Crans-Montana offers the most extensive alpine shopping for miles around. It also boasts a renowned cultural and congress centre and a wide range of hotel accommodation. As a venue for major sporting events, and with a reputation as a golfing haven, Crans-Montana draws visitors from all over the world.
Many of the partners taking part in this campaign to entice visitors have joined forces to create the new promotion, offering a reduction of 33 per cent off hotel accommodation, ski pass, ski hire and skiing lessons valid from four nights and three days skiing from November 19 to December 24, again from January 7 to February 11, 2012, and also from March 10 to April 6, 2012.
Mona Faraj, managing partner of Insights Management Consultancy, said: “This unprecedented move gives visitors 50 per cent more purchasing power! This should be a major incentive for GCC and Middle Eastern tourists to come and have a great value stay in the Valais resort. All the more so because, on top of reductions on overnight stays, ski passes, ski hire and skiing lessons (from 4 nights, 3 days skipass in middle season), many of the resort’s retailers will also be making customers special offers on a daily basis. These include fixed-price menus in restaurants, sports accessories and leisure activities.”
Insights Management Consultancy represents Crans-Montana – the legendary Swiss alpine destination – on two of its key markets, the GCC and UK.
“This spectacular campaign is being led jointly by the resort’s suppliers and the Tourist Office, with financial support granted by Crans-Montana’s local council. The ’33 carat’ campaign should enable us to counteract the effects of an excessively strong franc which is undermining the purchasing power of visitors from the euro zone, and through it, we also hope to encourage people from GCC and Middle East to have a change of air, take a few days off, and forget everything else,” added Philippe Rubod, CEO, Crans Montana Tourism Board.
Other highlights on the gold rush trek
* Golf: the 18-hole Severiano Ballesteros and 9-hole Jack Nicklaus golf courses offer panoramic views from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.
* Shopping: Crans and Montana comprise the most extensive alpine shoppers’ paradise for miles around.
* Plaine Morte: This huge glacier stretching for 10 square kilometres at an altitude of 3,000m is also a major attraction in summer.
* Sierre: The town with the most hours of sunshine in Switzerland is a popular nearby excursion with its beautiful old quarter and museums. A funicular railway links Montana with Sierre.
* Grottensee near St-Léonard: There are boat trips across this underground lake between Sion and Sierre from March to November.
