The Russians were told about the prices for New Year’s tours: the holiday will cost a pretty penny

— The summer holiday season is over, the velvet season is in full swing. Which destinations do Russian travelers prefer?

Gorin: This summer, at least 5 million of our compatriots vacationed abroad. Türkiye occupies the leading position in demand. During the summer period alone, the tourist flow there is estimated at approximately 3 million people. The good news is that there are more open destinations with direct regular transportation, and charter flights have also appeared in many countries of the world. Of the 69 previously opened direct flights to different countries, 38 are now available. Here we must highlight the UAE, which by the end of the year will probably receive at least 1.2 million of our vacationers. This is 3 times more than before the pandemic. Thailand has completely returned to its pre-pandemic positions: in the first half of the year alone – 800 thousand people, and winter flight programs show the extreme popularity of this destination. Of course, Egypt is still in the top.

New directions are also emerging. Flights to Morocco and Tunisia resumed this summer. Now, on the eve of the winter season, we are waiting for direct air transportation to Mauritius, Indonesia, Bali, and also to Hong Kong. There are more flights to Cuba, and this is not only Varadero, but also Havana. There is also Venezuela, Seychelles, and the Maldives. These are the countries that began to gradually open up during the pandemic, and now they have been able to attract many tourists.

Probably, both Russian and Chinese tourists are looking forward to the start of real work on visa-free group trips more than anything else. They are currently in semi-test mode. But direct flights to the popular Hainan Island are planned.

Dagestan or Philippines?

— The opening of new destinations is certainly good news for our tourists. But how accessible are they? How has the average bill for tours changed?

Osaulenko: If we are talking about foreign countries, then, for example, at the beginning of the summer season, trips to Turkey almost doubled in price. Yes, prices were adjusted down during the season, but the increase in value is still impressive. In general, we can say that last summer the cost of foreign tours increased by an average of 20–25% compared to the previous year. As for the domestic market, the dynamics of price growth here is much lower – 12–15%. This is due to the fact that in the domestic market we pay in our currency – rubles.

— Has the booking horizon changed? Nowadays there is a lot of talk about the fact that “last minute tours” have virtually disappeared, and the closer to the vacation, the more expensive the trip…

Barzykin: This is true. The number of risks and uncertainties has increased. Tour operators no longer compete for excess boards, because there are simply not enough of them in the outbound market. The planning horizon for foreign tours is two to three weeks. But it would be appropriate to talk about the indicators of the domestic market. In the summer of 2023 alone, 17 million Russians vacationed at domestic resorts. Holidays in the North Caucasus are popular: Dagestan received more than 1.3 million people over the summer; tours to the Chechen Republic, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay-Cherkessia are in demand. I think that we will even overcome the pre-Covid level in the domestic market.

— According to specialized services, this fall demand in the Philippines has increased 4 times compared to the summer season. It is also noted that holidays on the islands before the pandemic were more expensive, but now prices in Southeast Asian countries have leveled off. Is it so? How much can I buy a tour for?

Gorin: There are no direct flights to the Philippines, but there are many transit flights. The price depends on how convenient the flight connection is, and, of course, on seasonality. In the winter season, the popularity of long-distance destinations traditionally increases. Tourists travel to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius. The average bill also depends on the hotel – in these destinations you can find both budget and premium accommodation options. The average budget can even start from 250 thousand rubles for two, if there is successful air transportation.

— Is this the cost for a week?

– Yes. This is approximately how much a week costs in low season. For the New Year, such a trip costs much more – 350-550 thousand rubles. If we talk about renting a villa or apartment, the cost of a vacation can amount to several million rubles.

Glamping fashion

— What does the cost of a package tour consist of?

Osaulenko: In accordance with the law, a complex tourism product, a package tour, must have two mandatory services – transportation and accommodation. The package also includes transfer, meals, insurance, excursion program. A minimum excursion program has become a mandatory component of a package tour. Today, a tourist wants to include the maximum number of services in a tour, while still at the stage of purchasing it. This is more reliable than resolving issues on the spot.

— Let’s clarify: it is the flight component that accounts for a significant share of the total cost of the tour?

Osaulenko: Yes, definitely. Depending on the distance and level of comfort, the cost of transportation can be up to 80% of the price of the entire tour.

Barzykin: But you can consider the option of a vacation without a flight. For example, a river cruise. Demand for such tours has increased by 40% this year. From May to November you can choose the route you like: as the song says, from the Volga to the Yenisei, or Lake Baikal, or adventure cruises. The cost starts from 15 thousand rubles for three nights. For this money you can, for example, sail from Moscow to Tver. But expedition tours along the Yenisei will cost 500 thousand rubles.

— Let’s not talk about half a million… But what is included in a tour for 15 thousand rubles?

— Three meals a day, travel, accommodation. Excursions can be purchased additionally, or you can go for a walk yourself.

— New Year holidays are just around the corner. Tour operators have already warned that prices for winter foreign tours will rise by at least 10%. In October and November, the cost of winter trips can increase by 30% compared to last year. Trips to Egypt, Dubai, Thailand, the Maldives and Cuba will skyrocket in price. Are operators not afraid of reducing demand and losing customers because of such prices?

Gorin: The number of foreign trips, according to the FSB, increased by 37%, which is about 12 million people. Last year there were fewer flights and fewer offers by country. Now, of course, not all countries are easily accessible, but travel companies can help you obtain visas and organize transit transportation. If we talk about prices, the cost of a winter holiday will greatly depend on the exchange rate. If last year you had to pay 60 thousand rubles for a thousand euros, then this year it will be about 105 thousand. There are many factors that negatively affect the cost. But on average, I agree, the price increase is approximately 10–30%.

— Our readers ask: when is the best time to book New Year’s tours? And also, what is the average amount for a family of two people who decides to go on a trip for a week in January?

Barzykin: You need to plan your winter vacation now – it’s not too late. Flights and accommodation will be cheaper on January 2 or 3 rather than December 31. As for domestic destinations, it is better to buy both plane and train tickets in advance, as the most popular ones are sold out quickly. The average cost of a winter holiday within the country is 40 thousand rubles.

Osaulenko: Glamping holidays are now actively developing in Russia, and the increase in demand compared to last year is about 40% in this area. These should be booked for the New Year at the beginning of summer.

Barzykin: It is necessary to explain for those who have not yet been affected by this fashion: glamping is camping, but with special, comfortable conditions. Many, especially married couples with children, prefer this option – a comfortable holiday in the lap of nature.

How to save money on vacation

— Another question from a reader: is it worth planning a vacation for next summer now?

Osaulenko: Ideal option: book somewhere in the future three to four months in advance. But in general: the earlier you book a tour and the sooner you pay for it in full, the cheaper it will be for you.

Barzykin: An important nuance: in the domestic market over the past two years, health resort tourism has been developing more dynamically than the hotel sector. In the post-pandemic period, everyone realized that they need to invest not only in travel, but also in health. Over the past year, the increase in such vacationers is more than 1 million people.

— Why do tours to Kamchatka and Altai cost so much money?

Gorin: In previous years, there was a special program for subsidizing private tourist flights, and these flights flew to both Baikal and the Far East. Unfortunately, this year the industry did not receive funding for this program. I would like to remind you: then a tour to Baikal cost 35 thousand, and to Kamchatka – 40 thousand rubles, including flights. Yes, it was a budget option, with a 3-star hotel. But it was available. What are we doing now in this direction? We negotiate with airlines for special blocks of seats. Several federal tour operators have already opened sales and announced these routes. In any case, it will be difficult for us here without government support. I would like to remind you that this year we do not have cashback, which we are so accustomed to, and this gave another 20% savings when purchasing a tour. We really hope that sooner or later, as part of the development of domestic tourism, the government support measures that were in place earlier will be continued.

Barzykin: It is necessary to return support for charter programs. Those mechanisms that have already been tested and implemented on the foreign market must be implemented on the domestic market. Flights from Primorye and Kamchatka to Moscow are subsidized, but not in the opposite direction. Why? Tourists can only rely on chance and “catch” a more or less suitable price from a tour operator or airline.

— The most frequently asked questions from our readers are about one thing: how to save money on buying a tour?

Osaulenko: It is advisable to choose not the peaks of resort loading, but the wings of these peaks. For example, we are now at the beginning of October – autumn has already come into its own. And in the Black Sea resorts the sun is like ours in the summer, plus 28 degrees outside, the water temperature in the Black Sea is 25 degrees. But the price is minus 30% from the high season. Why not saving?

The next point: if you decide that you want to go abroad and are set on it, you don’t need to abruptly discard your idea because of the increased price – just look at other routes. And one more thing: all reputable operators use their preferential programs as a kind of marketing ploy. As a rule, these are not hot tours, but they are still promotions for the future. If you want to save money, then you need to really monitor the situation. And from a security point of view, the crazy dynamics of the tourist flow means a lot of money, and where there is a lot of money, there are a lot of fraudulent schemes. Therefore, carefully look at who you are working with: the operator or travel agent must be verified. If you see a price 15–20% below the market price, don’t buy it, it could be a scam.

Gorin: There are no miraculous ways to save money – everything is at the level of common sense. You can reduce the star rating of the hotel: not 5, but 4… Many people use a reduction in the number of days on the trip. This leaves the opportunity to go to the country you want, even if the tour has become more expensive. And, of course, you need to look at the loyalty program of travel agents and tour operators: there may be all kinds of discounts.

Table

The most popular holiday destinations for Russians in the summer of 2023 (% of the total number of tourists):

1) Türkiye – 16.9%

2) Krasnodar region – 13.8%

3) St. Petersburg – 11.8%

4) Caucasus – 6.6%

5) Kaliningrad and region – 5.7%

6) Kazan – 4.7%

7) Abkhazia— 3.9%

8) Altai Mountains – 3.5%

9) Kazakhstan – 2.9%

Source: OneTwoTrip