Where it is cheaper to have a rest in a year. Where to relax on the sea inexpensively? How different countries are fighting for Russian tourists
Where to spend your vacation in 2015? Where to expect discounts and special offers? And what if there is no money, but you want to rest?
The fall in the ruble has forced many to reconsider their vacation plans, but the tourist services market is still too early to bury. Due to the depreciation of the ruble, demand is redistributed in favor of domestic tourism, - says Sergey Shpilko, chairman of the Moscow Tourism Committee.
Fresh horizons
If we talk about the foreign direction, the priority structure will remain. The leading positions will remain the directions most accessible to the middle class - Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Thailand, borderlands Finland, China - in general, the directions most accessible to the middle class, which forms massive outbound tourist flows. Obviously, the demand for tourist trips will decline until, since the demand for travel is highly dependent on prices and incomes, or, as economists say, highly elastic items of the consumer budget of the population, explains the chairman of the Moscow Committee for Tourism and Hotel Management. - Plus, for foreign tours, it will be reduced until their cost becomes more competitive for Russians in comparison with trips in their own country. And this, in addition to the exchange rate, depends on the dynamics of prices for Russian vouchers, passenger transportation services within the country and on how long the supply of domestic high-quality tourist products will last in the high season, in particular - the resource of high-quality hotel rooms.
So far, the domestic market is winning, and here it is possible to achieve real results in terms of import substitution of tourist services. But how things will go further, it will become clear at the end of this year, and much here will depend on whether the state will be able to support the domestic hospitality industry, ”Shpilko notes.
Victims of propaganda
Another obvious trend is the redistribution of demand in favor of independent travel:
This happens for many reasons: online booking opportunities are expanding, tourists themselves are becoming more experienced travelers, and the number of flight destinations for discounters is growing. Therefore, border statistics show a smaller drop in the number of tourist trips than data from tour operators. This is, in fact, the main challenge to the modern tourist business, to which the most technologically advanced and energetic players of the tourist market will undoubtedly find a worthy answer. Moreover, on mass charter destinations it is impossible to independently form a tour at a price lower than the tour operator's price, without a serious loss in the quality of service, in most cases today, the expert says.
In the meantime, the majority of domestic tour operators of international destinations are suffering heavy financial losses, which has already led to a series of bankruptcies of outbound tourism companies:
It is important that the next amendments to the Federal Law "On the Basics of Tourist Activities in the Russian Federation", which are under consideration in the State Duma, do not finally finish off this segment of the tourist market. But it is not easy for companies that receive foreign tourists, and not so much because of themselves, but because of the anti-Russian hysteria in the American and European media, - says Shpilko. - It is from these countries that tourist flows are still decreasing, which, however, are partially offset by an increase in arrivals from countries less dependent on. In particular - from countries that have a visa-free or simplified visa regime with Russia. For example, the number of international arrivals from Israel and Turkey to Moscow has increased by 9% this year, and from South Korea, which has become visa-free, by more than 40%. So the intrigue of the entry market this year is to what extent economic considerations in terms of benefits from the fall in the ruble exchange rate in the minds of foreign tourists will outweigh ideological clichés.
A new generation of tourism products
Changes in the conjuncture of demand entail changes in the structure of tour operator activities:
The leading tour operators of outbound and inbound tourism enter the domestic market with their technologies and agent networks. And where there are appropriate resources, a new generation of travel products is created, which the consumer himself cannot form online at a price, but which allows them to take more into account their individual wishes. This is a kind of individual tourism at group rates. Such tours, for example, were offered to Moscow for New Year and Christmas. They started from 4 thousand per weekend with accommodation in business-class hotels. And thanks to such new components of the tourist service that have appeared in recent years, such as regular routes on double-decker buses, winter navigation on the Moskva River on icebreaker-class motor ships, guest cards, not to mention free museums in pedestrian zones and a luxurious program of festive events, they allowed to present the capital in a completely different way on the tourist market, - sums up the chairman of the Moscow Committee for Tourism and Hotel Management.
Now, special offers for weekends and holidays in Moscow will become one of the specialties of this year, especially since they are perfectly combined with visits at the appropriate prices to the Moscow region, the Golden Ring, St. Petersburg, Sochi, and are very profitable on transit when traveling abroad.
The main result of the year is that the Russian population remains optimistic. Key lesson: Emotions in decision making are bad counselors. The main wish is to calculate the reaction of citizens, to trust them more. Lack of feedback is the main brake on the development of Russia. If Russia is economically strong, then the West will not have to ask for anything, it will come and give everything.
Victory Parade in Moscow-2015. No comments
1. Parade on May 9 to commemorate the 70th anniversary. Western leaders ignored the Victory Parade due to the Ukraine crisis. Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski said that the parade is a threat to both Poland and peace throughout the world. But with him are thirty leaders of other countries who watched the holiday from the stands at the Kremlin wall, including the President of the PRC.
"Victory Day has become the most important holiday in Russia, leaving behind the beloved Russian Easter and New Year. Emotions overwhelmed people, as if Germany had just been defeated! And the unity of the people on this holiday made it clear that Russians are ready to defeat any a country that dares to attack it, "wrote the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
2. Russia began in late September to support the Syrians who are now fighting for the future of their homeland. Others - tens of thousands of young, hefty men - now live in Europeans, wander around Europe in search of an easy life. Yes, we can say that they do not want to die for a "bloody dictator". But even in the Soviet Union, not everyone was madly in love with Joseph Stalin, but they fought when a difficult time came.
Both schoolchildren and old people fought, and not for a specific structure of power or its personalities, but for the Soviet Union. That is why we held this unforgettable Victory Parade. Will Syria host it? For Russia, the October ones in terms of the positions of the "Islamic State" (the launch of "Caliber" missiles from the ships of the Caspian Flotilla) and the December ones - from the diesel-electric submarine "Rostov-on-Don" from the Mediterranean Sea had a significant geostrategic significance.
In Brazil, the socialist president Dilma Rousseff is under tough pressure from the opposition, it has been declared against it. diaspora. None of this yet.
Every working person looks forward to a vacation. In order to rest comfortably, recuperate, compensate for the psychological costs of work by the sea, beaches and simple "doing nothing". And if earlier the most popular question was - where to rest, then in the light of the crisis it became more appropriate - where to do it inexpensively.
Inexpensive family vacations abroad in 2015 - countries for cheap family vacations
To begin with, you should pay attention to last minute tours, advance booking (several months in advance), to rest in "family" hotels (you can save a lot), as well as bus tours (several countries at once with minimal costs). In a word, there would be a desire, but there will be options.
And now in more detail - where to go in 2015 to be inexpensive and interesting?
- Tunisia
Tempting prices for vacations, more or less stable environment. It is worth seeing the Roman ruins in the north of the country, relaxing by the sea, taking pictures at the filming location of Star Wars.
- South Africa
The prices are affordable, and the rest itself is inexpensive regardless of the season. You can find something for yourself for any budget - visit free museums (there are many of them), plunge into the beauty of wildlife, relax in seaside cafes. The best time for rest (minimum of tourists + excellent weather) is spring and autumn.
- Shanghai
On a limited budget, this is a great option. Low hotel prices, cheap food, huge portions for almost pennies, as well as walks in a rapidly changing metropolis and a lot of new experiences.
- Samoa
Minus - not the shortest and easiest road. Pros: tropical paradise, idyllic beaches, accommodation in huts (almost by Robinson Crusoe), cheap food, markets with "penny" but amazingly beautiful souvenirs.
- Bali
Travelers are offered cheap bungalows, tasty and inexpensive food, low transport costs. There is no need to talk about spa treatments - high quality, cheap, professional.
- Uruguay
Here you can, with significant savings, enjoy delicious steaks, calm beaches and unforgettable excursions.
- Portugal
In comparison with other resort areas in Europe, here are the lowest prices. Great region (like the Algarve) to enjoy a beach holiday. Lisbon and Barcelona will not disappoint.
- Taiwan
This trip will save you more money than traveling to Tokyo or Hong Kong. To services of tourists - hostels and guest houses, as well as campgrounds in the forests of the island. Cheap tickets for railway routes, a large wallet for the excursion is also not needed. Delicious food (both in a restaurant and in a street eatery) is cheaper than in Europe, and there are overwhelming positive emotions from the rest.
- Romania
Pros: low-cost flights to Europe, choice of form of residence - for every taste and budget, inexpensive ferries from which you can see castles and old villages, the Danube Delta.
- Burkina Faso
A West African gem with a friendly population, colorful markets, mountain ranges, a variety of wildlife and more than affordable prices.
- Greece
In this country of olive groves, you will not have to take a thick, thick credit card with you either. Here you can have an inexpensive and very high quality rest, enjoying the beauty of the homeland of the Olympic Games, visiting Mount Athos and monasteries, amazingly delicious national dishes and famous Greek wine.
- Bulgaria
Almost synonymous with cheap vacations. Pluses of the sea: ideal beaches, the benevolence of the close Slavic people, democratic prices "for everything." How to entertain children and adults - in this country there is an abundance.
Family beach holidays in 2015 - where will we go to the sea in crisis?
A crisis is a crisis, and a beach vacation is on schedule.
Where can the whole family jerk off in 2015, taking into account “to make it cheaper”?
- Italy
2-week itinerary with a visit to Venice and Rome, Genoa and Florence, an unforgettable beach vacation, cozy towns, affordable prices.
- Bus tour of European capitals (5-7 countries)
A short tour with excursions, a lot of impressions. Particular attention is paid to the Baltic countries with sandy beaches and medical procedures (Pärnu, Palanga, Druskininkai, Saarema Island, etc.), to the cobbled streets of Latvia and Lithuania, medieval castles, national dishes in taverns.
- Scandinavia
Relaxing and enjoyable tours, ideal for families. From Helsinki to Copenhagen. A lot of entertainment, cozy streets, delicious and high-quality food.
- Do not forget about Turkey and Egypt - record holders for inexpensive vacations
Here you will receive “all inclusive”, and a warm sea, and impressions, and cost savings.
- Thailand
If you go there with your family in the middle of winter, then all the delights of the country can be appreciated without damage to the nervous system (there are few tourists in winter) and for the wallet (winter is the season of discounts).
- India
Here tourists are simply attracted like a magnet. Because there is a lot of entertainment, there is no shortage in the variety of recreation, the prices are low, the beaches are first-class.
- Vietnam
Also a relatively inexpensive vacation for lovers of sandy beaches, sun, surfing, fantastically delicious (and equally original) cuisine, coral reefs and diving.
We bring to your attention the experts' predictions about which resorts will be the most popular in the next vacation season.
Where to relax in Russia
All experts agree that the popularity of recreation in their home country is growing and will become a long-term trend.
According to Vladislav Shevtsov, head of the online service DaTravel.com, Crimea and Sochi are expected to be the most popular holiday destinations. The search site Momondo notes that you can relax in other areas as well: the popularity of tickets to Anapa increased by 150%, to Minvody - by 126%, and to Samara - by 44%.
Oleg Safonov, the interim head of Rostourism, recommends that tour operators who have been working in foreign destinations for a long time do not forget about Russian resorts, where more and more hotels are switching to the all-inclusive system. This means that rest of the international level can be offered in our country, especially since charter flights from different cities are possible. “If in 2014 18 regions took part in the target federal program for the development of tourism, then in the future there will be 26 and the budget will allocate 5.2 billion rubles against 4.6 billion this year,” Safonov notes.
On the beaches of Turkey and Egypt
Vladislav Shevtsov is sure that the popularity of Turkey, Thailand, Egypt and other beach destinations will not decrease, but Spain and Greece, which are more expensive and require a visa, may "sink". Independent travelers willingly go to Thailand, Spain and Istanbul. You can also count on reasonable prices, especially in mass resorts like Antalya and Hurghada, where tourists from Russia provide most of the income. The owners of the hotels there responded adequately by lowering prices to the fall of the ruble.
Alexander Burtin, co-owner of Tez Tour, notes that discounts averaged 20%. Tours in ruble prices went up anyway, but not so dramatically. Tour operators took this into account and reoriented their programs towards budget popular resorts. No matter how the economic circumstances develop, tickets to Turkey and Egypt will not rise in price, remaining at last year's level.
DaTravel experts note the unexpected popularity of air tickets to London and Paris, and they buy them in advance, and especially in times of weakening of the ruble. This means that under all circumstances Russians are not going to give up their spring trips to the expensive capitals of Europe. And it is better to choose real estate on the website - http://prian.ru/france/land/. Objectively and a large selection!
East direction
Nevertheless, Europe is becoming more expensive and Russian travelers are increasingly targeting Asia - Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, China. Irina Ryabovol, Momondo's representative in Russia, notes that the main advantage of Asian countries is inexpensive goods and services, only air travel requires costs. And it’s warm all year round and there are no visa problems.
Experts of the search engine Skyscanner.ru are optimistic about Asian travel, highlighting a number of promising routes:
South Korea, which recently canceled visas for Russians, is very interesting, there are enough flights there and the popularity of this direction is actively growing;
Sri Lanka does not require a preliminary visa, it is put at the airport, and a flight on cheap flights of the flydubai low-handed airline through the Emirates allows you to fly on vacation at no extra cost;
Cambodia, which used to be on excursions while vacationing in Thailand, has become an independent route with low prices and many interesting places (one Angkor Wat temple complex is worth something);
Brazil, where a visa is not required, and for the 2016 Olympics, both service and security are improving.
Fingerprints are required in Schengen
For European travel, from the summer of 2015, you will have to submit your fingerprints - Schengen visas are becoming biometric for Russians. This is not the result of sanctions: the novelty is valid in many countries and has been planned for a long time. It remains only to equip the consulates in Russia with the appropriate equipment. It is expected that prints will be taken every five years upon first applying for a visa. For residents of those regions where there are no consulates, it will be inconvenient: they will have to go, since it will no longer be possible to submit documents through a travel agency.
Indonesia is added to the visa-free countries (although there were no problems there, they were set for $ 30 at the airport) and negotiations are underway with Mexico.
