The cost of vouchers for the May holidays went through the roof, Türkiye is in the lead

Who can afford to wave to the sea

Is it worth going somewhere for the May holidays, or, given the price level, the complexity of logistics and the short weekend, is it more comfortable to relax at home? Those involved in the tourism industry assure that it is worth it. And those who are close to economics and statistics are convinced that there is nothing more unprofitable than to go at exorbitant prices to distant lands for three days off (this year the holidays are from 29.04 to 01.05 and from 06.05 to 09.05). We found the truth in the middle by comparing the calls of tour operators and carriers with expert advice and sales and booking statistics.

– This year, tours for May holidays are bought one and a half times more actively than a year ago, – they say in one of the leading domestic travel agencies. – There are more directions available. But in the first place is still Türkiye.

We compare with the statistics of aggregators, with the help of which the majority of compatriots are looking for tours today. So it is: in the first place is Türkiye – 36% of all sales. Despite the fact that, in comparison with the previous May ones, the average bill for the week increased by 37%, and today it starts from 185 thousand rubles for two. And this despite the destruction after the February earthquakes and the threat of new tremors.

– In second place among those wishing to relax in May we have Russia, – says one of the largest Russian tour operators. – And on the third – Egypt.

Compared to its competitors, Egypt has hardly risen in price since last May – only by 4.2% (about 190 thousand rubles per week for two with a flight), and it also introduces a five-year tourist visa.

But tours in Russia have risen in price by 13% relative to the previous ones in May (the average check is 60 thousand rubles). The popular resort trio Anapa-Gelendzhik-Minvody raised prices by 7-20%, and Sochi – by as much as 30%. As a result, a week in Sochi “fours” and “fives” for May will cost the same as in Turkish or Egyptian.

After Egypt, everything is also quite predictable – the UAE with 15% of all sales (the Emirati “share” in Russian tourism has increased 8.5 times since last year, and the average bill by 15.7% and starts from 215 thousand for two per week in “treshke”). In the top ten “May” routes of Russians, although with very small sales volumes, there are also Thailand, Mauritius, Maldives and Abkhazia.

– Muscovites are ready to spend plus or minus 200 thousand rubles for two for a week by the sea in May, – they share their observations in the capital’s travel agency. – But on condition that the flight is no longer than five hours one way and without transfers. Which immediately sweeps aside the whole of Southeast Asia, as well as all directions where there are no direct flights.

– Where is China? The Chinese are already on their way!

– We do not yet have a large flight program there, so there are no mass tours. In addition, as many customers fly to their seaside resorts from Moscow as to Thailand, and if so many fly, then Tai is more proven. Although the Chinese Embassy in the Russian Federation assures that the queue for visas is just beginning in May. But these, I think, are shuttles and other business tourists, not vacationers.

Domestic carriers are encouraging with a “very soon” expansion of the flight program and, accordingly, new tours to Myanmar, Vietnam, South Korea, Tunisia, Algeria and South Africa. But in fact, there is a ready-made “alternative” tourist product for these May holidays only in Oman.

Since March 28, the Omani carrier has increased the weekly number of flights between Moscow and Muscat from 4 to 7, which the tour operators took advantage of, creating a mass product. 6 days / 6 nights for two in Oman for these May will cost from 230 to 300 thousand rubles with the flight included (it costs 41 thousand rubles round-trip). Of the advantages of Oman – a 14-day “visa-free” for Russians, for May +30 air, +26 water in the sea. Also, Oman is a convenient air hub, from where it is cheaper to get to the countries of Southeast Asia, to which there are no direct flights from the Russian Federation, than through Istanbul or Dubai. Of the minuses – a Muslim country with all the ensuing strictness to appearance and alcohol.