The “battle” between various worldwide tourism destinations for attracting Russian tourists, after recent events in Egypt and Turkey, is peaking.
And, as strange as this may sound, the greatest competitor among all these destinations is Russia itself!
Unprecedented scheme
The Russian government and regional authorities’ scheme to promote – if not impose – domestic tourism for this year, as well as the next two seasons at least, is coordinated, methodical and unprecedented.
As if all this was not enough, the country’s largest tour operators fully align themselves with this “directive” issuing statements one after the other, designing special programs, flights, packages etc.
Grand development plans
The whole project seems to be complemented with governmental focus on launching grand development plans, incvolving both public tourism infrastructure and private tourism investment, especially in Krasnodar, Black Sea and central Sochi regions, with Crimea as the only exception, since it represents a different case.
On the outbound tourism front, Russian travel agencies of Russia, strive to contain their losses (refunds, prepaid advances in hotels, flights cancelations etc. in this very difficult period that began with a Russian aircraft’s crash in Sinai and escalated into a serious crisis with Turkey.
Common background
The common background which is not be ignored, is the military involvement of Russia in Syria against the Islamic State, a development which makes Russia and its citizens potential ‘targets’ of extreme Islamist terrorism.
Overall, in 2014, Turkey was visited by about 3.8 million Russians and Egypt by another three.
Losses up to 70%
This year, traffic towards Egypt and Turkey had already slowed by 20% due to adverse economic conditions in Russia, but tour operators already estimate that total annual losses can exceed 70% of total passenger traffic from Russia to Turkey!
Here, war rages over what will happen to Russians who intended to travel on vacation in the coming months to Egypt and Turkey, and it is conducted on two levels.
First, among destinations that can attract Russians during this time of the year and especially during the holiday season and New Year, and secondly, of course, for the of 2016 season.
Winter season
During winter, Egypt traditionally emerged as the most popular destination for Russians. It is estimated that during this season, about 200,000 Russians would travel there.
After the Sinai crash, however, tour operators began to look for alternative destinations with Turkey being their first choice. utmaneuvered
Yet, their plans were further obstructed by the eruption of the Turkish-Russian crisis and the winter “closing” of other alternative destinations, such as Greece and Cyprus.
And the winners are…
As the tour operators themselves reveal, Israel, United Arab Emirates, India (Goa ) and Vietnam eventually absorbed the largest part of the demand.
The same destinations, of course, aim to attract more Russian tourists for the upcoming summer season, and some, e.g. Israel have already made special offers to the Russians in order to gain momentum.
In the past few days, North African destinations, namely Tunisia and Morocco, also entered the game by dispatching ministers and government officials to Moscow.
Proof of security
Especially Tunisia, presented “proof” to the Russian government and any other interested parties, on how they have improved and increased security measures in place at airports, tourist attractions, museums and so on, following the attacks on foreign tourists, earlier this year.
Time shall determine the outcome of this conflict for 2016. If the Egyptian government convinces, by next February, the Russians that the new security measures adopted in airports and tourist resorts, after the boeing’s crash, are sufficient and effective, the situation may change considerably.
With Turkey, things seem to be much more serious. Putin and other Russian officials’ rhetoric and actions hint at deeper issues, that are not likely to be resolved very soon.
Welcoming alternatives
If, therefore, Egypt fails and relations with Turkey have not been smoothed out within the first two to three months of 2016, then it is almost certain that demand will be channeled to other, adjacent and welcoming destinations.
The cost of packages (depending first and foremost on the prices that hoteliers would give) exchange rates and visa requirements shall definitely remain the most fundamental criteria.
The new biometric visa system, gives non-Schengen area destinations a head start. Its implemenation has already significantly slowed the movement towards European destinations.
Fierce competition
On other fronts, competition will be fierce and depend of course on how much each destination wants Russian tourists. It is certain, however, that non-EU destinations will give their best shot in offerings and subsidies, significantly reducing the cost to tour operators.
Let us not forget that the total “value for money” packages Russians enjoyed in Egypt and Turkey – combining “five star” full services with very affordable prices – can hardly be replaced.
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