What's in store for the future of mountain tourism?
At the end of last month, the 17th World Mountain Equipment Exhibition (SAM) took place in Grenoble. The SAM is an annual trade fair centred on the development of ski lifts and ski areas; this year it brought together 480 companies and brands from 52 countries. Alternating between Grenoble and Innsbruck, the event is held over three days during which the mountain industry's main players discuss the new products and services that will develop the mountains of the future.
The theme this year was very much centred on the renewal and modernisation of existing installations in terms of safety, comfort and respect for the environment. However, one area that doesn't follow this rule is the snowmaking sector that looks set to increase from 15% (surface area coverage in French resorts) to 20-25% in the next few years. There was also much focus throughout the event on conquering new markets outside of Europe such as Asia and Latin America.
Whilst predominantly a professional trade fare, the event attracted nearly 12000 visitors who came to discover (amongst others exhibits) the new developments in safety and rescue equipment, snowmaking and piste maintenance and ski lift installations.
For a full report on the main developments in the future of mountain tourism click here
