“The situation is not easy in the whole country” – Kommersant

The minister of resorts and tourism of the region spoke about the reasons for the decline in tourist flow to Crimea, the indicators of the tourism industry of the peninsula, opportunities for improving the situation and measures of state support to Kommersant. Vadim Volchenko.

— What tourist flow to Crimea this year do you expect?

– We do not expect a simple season for obvious reasons. But we are preparing for it as planned. I think there will be a drop in the tourist flow in relation to 2022, but it is still too early to draw conclusions and forecasts. In 2022, the figure was 25% lower than the record for the entire Russian and post-Soviet history of Crimea in 2021. Therefore, in comparison, for example, with 2019, the fall was not so serious.

The yield of many accommodation facilities is also at a good level: both gross income and net income. Many sanatoriums and hotels worked well in the autumn and winter months; on May holidays, up to 70% are loaded. This is due to a flexible marketing policy, work with regular guests, loyalty programs, additional options, and the availability of year-round infrastructure. But, frankly, not all accommodation facilities have such a picture.

– What has become the key to reducing the flow – limited air traffic or fears of tourists?

“The situation is not easy throughout the country. For the Crimean tourism industry, the main factor is logistics. Compared to last year, the number of trains has increased, including daily flights from Moscow. But they are still, in our opinion, not enough. A serious problem was the booking of train tickets in Moscow and St. Petersburg within 45 days, and not 90 days as before. The problem is solved by the government and Russian Railways.

Inspection procedures on the Crimean bridge is a necessity in the current conditions, the number of checkpoints has been significantly increased. Passenger and tourist traffic are distributed between road and rail transport in a proportion of approximately 70% to 30%. Our efforts are aimed at improving all areas, and, of course, we are waiting for flights.

– Are there tools to reduce the impact of negative factors on the tourism industry of the peninsula?

— Logistics and lower prices compared to last year and more than competitive in relation to other summer destinations. As well as work with state orders, for example, to improve the health of NWO participants and their families, mechanisms to stimulate the development of tourism infrastructure in the form of direct state subsidies.

– Is it noticeable that some market participants have suspended or stopped work due to a lack of guests?

– It’s still too early to talk about it. In Crimea, a large number of accommodation facilities operate seasonally. Of the 1.1 thousand objects – about 70% of hotels and resorts. This is our potential, because extending the holiday season through, among other things, year-round infrastructure is an opportunity for more rhythmic work, retaining permanent staff, more flexible pricing, and additional marketing mechanisms. There is no information on the suspension of activities at the moment, but we will look at the dynamics.

— Is it worth providing additional measures to support the tourism industry and what kind?

— Of course, it is necessary to complete the process of regulation of tax legislation in the hotel industry. A huge unused layer today is the introduction into legal circulation, according to the most conservative estimates, of 70-80 thousand rooms operating in the “guest house” format. This will become possible after the introduction of the relevant concept into federal legislation, which is frankly stalling so far. Together with the Ministry of Economy, we are working on mechanisms to stimulate demand, and mechanisms to support enterprises. Concessional lending already exists.

Interviewed by Alexander Dremlyugin, Simferopol