Ski resorts Pyhä and Ruka to form partnership with Holiday Club

Aho Group Oy, Family Business of the Year 2008, is to form partnership with Holiday Club Resorts Oy, one the largest timeshare enterprises in Europe, with an aim to turn the ski resorts Ruka and Pyhä into true all-year-round holiday destinations.

The Fell Centres of Ruka and Pyhä will see the first phase of the new development, which has been devised by the Canadian resort specialists Ecosign Mountain Planners, forming part of an overall master plan for the area.

”Our main goal is to secure bookings all year round. This so-called “hot beds’ concept works perfectly well with the timeshare model, as the level of usage is almost in a league of its own. I believe our future timeshare customers will not only form a significant group on the slopes but within the overall area as well”, says Ville Aho, the Development Manager of Rukakeskus Oy.

Holiday Club made the decision-making easy. Being one of the leading and well-respected companies of its kind in Europe, their previous work and successful cooperation in both resorts further strengthened the deal. Both Aho Group and Holiday Club aim for a strategically fruitful partnership in the long term, with a view to raise the demand for several new timeshare contracts in the next few years. In order to attract visitors all year round, the Hotel RukaVillage will be refitted with brand new, luxuriously equipped rooms in the centre of the new walking village while Pyhä undergoes complete refurbishment of its HolySuites rooms.

”Our target is to have Ruka and Pyhä in the top most desirable destinations for people who enjoy the slopes. Weekly timeshares already completed will soon be available on the market, located right by the slopes, which are sure to be of interest for the keenest of skiers” Aho points out.

Weekly timeshare forms the most important customer base in resorts


Holiday Club have over 140 holiday apartments in the Ruka-Kuusamo region, with an excess of 5600 shareholders. Pyhä’s little fewer than 50 apartments have around 2000 shareholders.

”Both Holiday Club RukaVillage and Holiday Club Pyhä HolySuite have a prime location and are in the absolute top end of the market respectively. Demand for the weekly timeshares is clearly on the rise, especially for the ski in – ski out packages that are located immediately by the slopes, and they are selling out fast”, explains Vesa Tengman, the Managing Director of Holiday Club Resorts Oy.

Holiday Club will also open sales offices in the two resorts, creating 10 permanent jobs all year round.

”In addition to Ruka and Pyhä, the nearby resort Salla has another 5000 shareholders in 100 apartments. Usage of the weekly timeshares is good all year round, which helps to keep the local businesses going”, add Tengman.

Holiday Club Resorts Oy announced its profits at the end of September with excellent results. With €65 million turnover the company’s profits stand at €6,7 million (gross). 25 new jobs were created and the sales of weekly timeshares in Finland rose by 15 %.

Holiday Club Resorts Oy is Finland's leading provider of leisure travel services and the largest vacation ownership enterprise in Europe. Owners of the company include current management, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Finnish Industry Investment Ltd, and a group of Finnish private investors. Holiday Club Resorts has 22 holiday destinations, and over 1,100 holiday flats. Three of the destinations are located abroad. In the year 2009 the company's turnover was €65 million and it emplyed 380 people.

Rukakeskus Oy is one of the leading resort management companies in Finland, with a 20% share of total lift pass ticket sales. The company is based in the Ruka and Pyhä ski resorts, offering a year-round skiing experience for an ever more international customer base. With a turnover of €22 million, Rukakeskus Oy employs a permanent staff of 200. The company is owned by the Aho family, whose Aho Group Oy, has a turnover of €65 million. Aho Group Oy was chosen the Family Business of the Year 2008.


http://ski.ruka.fi – All about Ruka slopes!
http://ski.pyha.fi – All about Pyhä slopes!

Mon 02.11.2009

This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Depending on your choice, we may also use cookies to show you targeted adverts. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the ‘Modify cookies’ button. More information about cookies here.