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Publication - Research and analysis

Snowsports sector - economic, social and cultural impact: research - technical report

Published
6 April 2023
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Part of
Arts, culture and sport, Economy
ISBN
9781805256519

This technical annex contains methodological details of the research into the economic, cultural and social value of the Scottish snowsports sector.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

11. Summary Data – Business Survey

Twelve businesses responded to the online survey aimed at businesses located near the mountain centres.

The data tables below present absolute values as it is good practice not to use percentages when total responses are less than 100.

The number of responses to the survey was low and its findings should be treated with caution. Further, not every respondent answered all survey questions.

Table 11.1: Is any of your business' turnover generated by the mountain centres in Scotland? For example, bed and breakfasts and hotels might benefit from overnight stays from those taking part in snowsports ( e.g. skiing) and/or non-snowsports ( e.g. mountain biking) activities at the mountain centres nearby.
Number of businesses
Yes 12
No -

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12

Table 11.2: In which local authority is your business based?
From a drop-down list Number of businesses
Highland 12

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12

Table 11.3: What is the nature of your business ( e.g. hotel)?
Number of businesses
Accommodation 4
Food and drink 1
Leisure and recreation, including outdoor adventure 6
Other 1

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

Open-ended question coded by EKOS

N=12

Table 11.4: How many employees does your business have?
Number of businesses
Micro (less than 10) 7
Small (10–49) 4
Medium (50-249) 1
Large (250+) -

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12

Table 11.5: How many of the following members of staff does your business have?
Number of businesses Total number of employees Range - employees
Part-time 7 29 1-15
Full-time 9 151 1-100
Seasonal/temporary 6 37 2-20

Source: EKOS Business Survey and analysis.

N=10.

Table 11.6: What proportion of your staff are from the local authority in which the business is based? An estimate will do.
Number of businesses
0% 1
Between 1 and 9% -
Between 10% and 25% -
Between 26% and 50% 1
Between 51% and 75% 2
Between 76% and 99% 2
100% 5

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=11

Table 11.7: Which of the following mountain centres in Scotland does your business rely on for some of its turnover?
Number of businesses
Nevis Range 8
Glencoe Mountain Resort 6
Cairngorms Mountain Resort 3
The Lecht 2090 3
Glenshee Ski Centre -

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12.

Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Numbers may total more than 12 as a result.

Table 11.8: In a typical year, what proportion of your business' turnover is generated by the mountain centres in Scotland – through snowsports and/or non-snowsports activities?
Snowsports activities Non-Snowsports activities
0% 2 1
Between 1% and 9% 7 6
Between 10% and 20% 3 -
Between 21% and 30% - 1
Between 31% and 40% - -
Between 41% and 50% - -
Between 51% and 60% - -
Between 61% and 70% - -
Between 71% and 80% - 1
Between 81% and 90% - 1
Between 91% and 100% - 1

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12

Table 11.9: In a typical year, what is your business's annual turnover?

Eight businesses provided details on their business' annual turnover – this ranged from £45,000 to £4,000,000, with an average of £1.04 million.

Table 11.9: COVID-19, was the importance of the mountain centres in Scotland to your business changing?
Number of businesses
It had become more important 2
No change in importance 4
It had become less important 3

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=10. One business started during the pandemic.

Table 11.10: How important or not important would you say the mountain centres in Scotland is currently to your business as a source of income generation?
Number of businesses
Very important 1
Important 6
Neither important nor not important -
Not that important 2
Not at all important 3

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12

Table 11.11: When does your business generate income from the mountain centre(s) you selected?
Number of businesses
All year round 9
Winter season only 3

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12

Table 11.12: What impact (both positive and negative), if any, do the mountain centres have on the local communities in which they are based? Think about the mountain centre(s) which your business relies on for some of its turnover.

Positive

  • Helps to bring people to the area, and to more remote/rural parts of the country.
  • Repeat visitors.
  • Tourist attraction/destination – snowsports and non-snowsports activities.
  • Creates employment for local people.
  • Spin-off benefits for local businesses (e.g. visitors that stay in the local area and spend money in the towns and local shops, cafes, and restaurants).
  • Helps to generate professional athletes, including those who take part in major sporting events (e.g. Winter Olympics).

Negative

  • Environmental impact and environmental degradation of paths, etc.
  • Snow cover conditions are increasingly unreliable because of climate change.
  • Ski lifts at the centre, including the funicular railway (Cairngorm) – limited flexibility to open in a diverse range of conditions.
  • There is scope for more collaborative and joint working between mountain centres and other local businesses for the benefit of everyone.

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

Open-ended question coded by EKOS.

Table 11.13: Do you agree or disagree that the snowsports sector in Scotland generates each of the following benefits/impacts? Again, think about the mountain centre(s) which your business relies on for some of its turnover.
Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Creates and supports employment in the local area 6 5 - 1 -
Increases footfall for local businesses/area 5 5 1 - 1
Encourages snowsports participants to visit/experience nearby places/attractions (e.g. discover new places or things to do nearby) 5 2 3 1 1
Attracts non-snowsports visitors to the area in the summer months 7 3 1 - 1
Supports the local tourism and visitor economy 8 3 - 1 -
Helps to improve and maintain physical health and fitness of snowsports participants 7 4 1 - -
Helps to maintain and improve mental health and wellbeing of snowsports participants (e.g. to relax, to unwind, to ease any worry, stress, tension or anxiety 6 3 3 - -
Provides opportunities for snowsports participants to be closer to nature (e.g. to enjoy scenery and wildlife, to have access to nature) 5 5 1
Other - - - - -

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

Table 11.14: How important would you say the mountain centres in Scotland will be to your business as a source of income generation over the medium-term ( i.e. next five years)?
Number of businesses
Very important 1
Important 6
Neither important nor not important 1
Not that important 1
Not at all important 3

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12

Table 11.15: Which of the following options do you think are the most viable opportunities for mountain centres to improve and/or diversify their offer?
Number of businesses
Replace ageing uplift 7
Other 7
Greater snowmaking capacity 6
A shift towards to low carbon/renewable energy sources 6
Build new infrastructure for year-round activities (e.g. mountain-biking, high wire) 6
An increased focus on biodiversity 5
Allow gondola rides in summer for hiking 5
Offer year-round passes for accessing the grounds 5
Improve food and beverage offering 5
Diversify income streams 4
Improve car parking 4
Provide educational tours 2

Source: EKOS Business Survey.

N=12.

Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Numbers may total more than 12 as a result.

Contact

Email: socialresearch@gov.scot

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