This year on overseas sea resorts will go the same number of travelers as last.
Ukrainians are actively booking tours for the summer. According to representatives of several major tour operators, this year for the first time on the system of early booking (tourists purchase tours for 4-6 months before date of travel) increased by 40-50% compared to the same period last year.
“We now did not expect such good sales in Turkey for the shares early booking. Now sold in packages of 500-700 dollars, which is quite unexpected for us”, – says CEO of tour operator TUI Ukraine Taras Demura. The same tendency is confirmed in one of the offices of the tourist company “Come with us”, according to the Manager of which, the number of calls from potential travelers increased on average by 30-40% compared to last year. “Everyone is interested in cheap options,” – said the source.
Inexpensive options
Tour operators are well prepared for the new season and have relied on a cheap vacation that is affordable to the Ukrainians. For example, to have a rest in Kemer (Turkey) in the period 26 April to 2 may at the hotel four-star category and All Inclusive is possible for 14.3 thousand UAH, for two persons. In the same period, you can go to Ayia NAPA (Cyprus), and the price in a three star hotel with Breakfast is 15.5 thousand UAH, for two persons. A ten-day stay in Bulgaria in two or three-star hotel will cost 12 thousand UAH, for two persons with Breakfast. However, tourists to the place of rest will be reached by bus. “The cost of travel is lower now compared to last year by about 30%”, – says Director of the tourist information Centre Vladimir Tsaruk.
Why the prices are so low? This is the position of hoteliers who provide additional discounts. Many tourists from EU countries are afraid to go on holiday to Turkey, so every traveler is now the weight of gold. “The Germans heard about the war near the border of the country and don’t want to go on vacation in a potentially unsafe region”, – said the Director of tourist company, who requested anonymity.
In addition to this, the Turkish resorts do not come the Russians, which last year accounted for 20% of the total number of travelers. Because of the conflict between the two countries this year Russian tour operators are prohibited from booking Charter flights to Antalya and Dalaman.
Activity show themselves Ukrainian travel company that provides travelers with cheaper hotels. For example, in Turkey instead of five-star hotels tourists settle in fours or even threes. Some save on transport. For example, traveling two days by bus to Bulgaria, you can save up to 200 euros for a week-long vacation compared to air travel.
That this strategy is working, says last year’s experience of sales. Tour operators already provide low prices on vacation last fall. For example, in mid-November 2015, prices for holidays in Egypt has dropped from an average of a half to three times, and to purchase a week-long tour can be had for $ 300. for two. Such budget proposals came after reports of the attack on Board the Airbus A-321 of the Russian airline “Kogalymavia” which made a flight Sharm El Sheikh – Saint Petersburg. The ship, a bomb exploded, after which the flights to resorts have suspended not only Russian, but also airlines from EU countries. Ukrainian carriers from the flights is not refused, and the local hotels have significantly reduced rates. This allowed us to load the aircraft, which are sent from the cities to Egypt. For example, a week-long tour with flights at the end of February in four-star hotel Sharm El Sheikh can be bought for 16,8 thousand UAH for two.
Unclaimed Europe
Different situation this year will be observed with the sale of tours to the countries of the European Union: local hoteliers not yet ready to provide discount to travelers. Most local hotel operators are hoping to lure to their resorts of the Russians, who this year will not be able to get to their favorite resorts in Turkey and Egypt.
“Tour operators have reduced the number of charters almost in half compared to last season. Only few would be able to pay 1-1,5 thousand euros for a week’s stay for two with Breakfast,” says Director of the tourist company, who requested anonymity.
Greek hoteliers and all will try to repeat last year’s achievements. According to the national Bank of the country, last year the country received from tourism by a record 14.2 billion euros. Most funds of Greece brought tourists from UK, USA, Germany and France. This year, local hoteliers will try to repeat last year’s record.
An additional obstacle may be the need to obtain a Schengen visa. Since last year many EU countries have tightened the requirements to the documents of Ukrainian travellers, and even tourists are loyal to Greece began to put in the passports of failures. Against this background, visa free countries look much more attractive to Ukrainians in this season.
