E-Montagne – Find the Best of the French Summits
When it comes to skiing in the mountains France still remains the most popular destination for British holiday-makers. Initially launched in 2010 and now revamped and ready even earlier; the e-montagne joint portal, a specially developed e-learning site, has been released from Pierre et Vacances, the region of Savoie Mont Blanc, France Montagnes, the ESF (Ecole de Ski Francais), equipment provider Ski Set and international travel insurance company, Europe Assistance. It was created to aid the travel trade learn more about the French mountains and holidays and produced specifically for agents to gain an extensive knowledge about the mountains and gives tips on how best to sell this speciality sector product to their clients. Originally launched in French and English versions, the site was recently adapted to include Russian.
Cathy Rankin, UK & Ireland Sales & Marketing Manager, said: “Pierre & Vacances has embraced this new tool to aid sales to the French mountains. We believe it will appeal to all agents from homeworkers to large sized tour operators”.
This functional site is divided into seven themes including practical advice on how to choose the right resort to fit to the client, explaining accommodation and restaurant options from budget to fine dining and several other tips to help agents sound like ‘the authority on everything the French mountains’ and give that extra edge. As well as practical information there are extensive links to the relevant areas of the partner sites enabling those taking the course to deepen their knowledge in areas that interest them and saving anyone a lengthy internet search. As part of the process, agents gain a diploma signed by all the partners showing authenticity of knowledge once the course is complete.
The seven modules are as follows:
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Select your resort in one click
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France is the best
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A resort for everyone
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Accommodation & gastronomy: the mountain stars
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A winter sports bonanza
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Chillax!
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The mountains in summer
Proof of it’s successful simplicity comes from the enthusiastic testimonials of current users;
Joanna Yellowlees-Bound said: “As MD of Erna Low I thought I knew all about the French Alps already, so I decided to test myself by using the e-montagne programme. I discovered that my knowledge was not as good as I thought it was (!) and I was thankful that the resource was there to help improve my product knowledge. Now the entire sales team has undertaken the training. This has been reflected by an increase in sales and some very impressed customers because the level of detail and useful snippets in the programme really underlines our position as ski specialists.”
For the 2014-2015 season, e-montagne.uk offers a selection of completely revised quizzes, with the objective to make learning about the assets of the Alps lively and engaging for all.
This is a dynamic site and will see content updated on a regular basis to ensure agents are up to date with what’s new. In addition everyone who scores 85% or better in the course will be entered into a monthly prize draw to win a ski holiday provided by the partners. This allows all participants a chance to win every month!
So, as we would expect with France, there is something for everyone in the mountains. For more information visit e-montagne.
Pierre and Vacances apartments boast large living spaces and well equipped kitchens, and offer all the mountain friendly essentials a family needs on site to avoid lugging heavy items of luggage on holiday! An example of this is the new ski in, ski out Amara apartments in Avoriaz which have spacious bedrooms, at least 2 bathrooms and living rooms you want to spend time in. In addition the TV channels include the range of BBC channels and all those from the Channel 4 stable. The site also boasts a supervised kids club, swimming pool and spa for special pampering time for adults and kids. There are Premium residences in France and 11 are found in the French Alps.
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For all press enquiries please contact:
Céline Guillermin
Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme
UK Market – PR & Promotion
celine.guillermin@smbtourisme.com
Direct Line +33 4 79 85 96 99
Or
Lynsey Devon
Heaven Publcity
020 3544 1563
07717 078862
For all press enquiries please contact:
Lynsey Devon, Heaven Publicity
Phone: 44 (0)20 3544 1563
Mobile: 44 (0)7717 078862
@HeavenPublicity
Pierre & Vacances – Center Parcs Group
Created in 1967, the Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs Group is the European leader in local tourism. It has built its growth on an original business model of synergies between its two businesses: property development and tourism. Today, with its six complementary tourism brands – Pierre & Vacances and its two Premium and Villages Clubslabels, Maeva, Center Parcs, Sunparks, Adagio and Adagio Access – the Group operates a tourism network of more than 51,000 apartments and homes, located in almost 300 sites in Europe. In 2011/2012, the Group welcomed 7.5 million European clients and generated turnover of €1.419bn.
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