Asia’s leading luxury villa company has grown its Japan portfolio to 21 chalets in Hirafu and Niseko Village since acquiring the business in 2018, and has plans for further growth in 2023.
Key points:
- Elite Havens has grown its Japan portfolio since its acquisition in 2018, with further plans for expansion.
- Despite limited flight availability on the re-opening of Japan to international tourism, pent-up demand and interest from travellers saw a strong 2023 ski season.
- Niseko Gourmet has exceeded expectations, selling out its services at the start of the season.
April 13, 2023:
Elite Havens built its reputation as a premier curator of luxury holidays in the exotic tropical beach destinations of Bali, Phuket and Koh Samui. Adding a portfolio of modern, high-end ski chalets in the veritable skiers’ paradise of Niseko in 2018 allowed the business to extend its expertise into a new market, catering to holidays of a different kind.
This move has proven to be a successful addition to the Elite Havens offering, with its chalets in Niseko experiencing one of their strongest seasons since 2018.
Starting as 17 beautiful properties in the picturesque wonderlands of Hirafu and Niseko Village, Elite Havens has grown that offering to 21 properties, offering a broad range of luxury lodges, traditional ski chalets and chic modern apartments. All come with a renowned concierge service and are perfectly situated to enjoy the enchanting scenery and magnificent views over picturesque Mount Yotei.
The Elite Havens Experience
Elite Havens’ Elite Concierge service extends to the Japan properties, ensuring guests have access to everything they need for a dream holiday escape, including ski lessons, restaurant bookings, in-villa gourmet dining and transfers from New Chitose Airport, a trip of around 2 hours.
The Elite Havens offering in Niseko also includes Niseko Gourmet, a food-catering business allowing guests to experience private chefs preparing fabulous meals right inside the chalet, as well as meal delivery options. With tourists returning to these popular ski villages in droves, bookings for Niseko Gourmet quickly sold out at the start of the season, evidence of the quality and convenience of this service.
Elite Havens’ Cluster Manager, Japan and Thailand, Femke Beekers, says the re-opening of Japan to tourism was an unknown, but demand proved stronger than expected. “We’ve seen the pent-up desire for travel in our other destinations when a country re-opens to tourism, but we didn’t know what the demand would be like for Niseko, given flight availability and travel costs at that time. But Japan is following trends seen in Bali and Phuket, with families returning or experiencing Niseko for the first time. It’s been very satisfying to see the region bounce back, bringing employment back to the area at the same time.”
