a on the first of August the Russians will be able to fly abroad. However, the list of countries where you can go, very short. Got Turkey, UK and not very popular with our visitors of Tanzania. Why these three countries have received this honor, will Turkey remain a budget resort and survive foreign competition, the Crimea and the resorts of the Krasnodar territory?
Russia opens international flights from August 1. However, the list of countries where we can fly the Russians are still very modest. This is the UK, Tanzania and Turkey. Open to travel will be only the airports of Moscow (Podmoskovie), Petersburg and Rostov-on-don. However, soon the list of countries can be expanded.
As for airports, the opening of the capital’s air is quite logical. Moscow is the Central air gate, Peter – gate, North, and Rostov-on-don with the new airport is the southern gateway of the country. Especially important is this airport for the Turkish destination. Fly to Turkey from Russian regions via Rostov and faster and cheaper, said the head of “Avia.ru” the novel of hussars. To control several transport hubs is easier than all the airports. At the same time, to fly abroad will be possible from any region, with only a connection in Moscow, St. Petersburg or Rostov. In the majority of cases until the pandemic to fly directly from the Russian regions was impossible.
Opening for flight of the three countries means that all parties consider the level of morbidity acceptable, and each of them creates equal conditions for reception of citizens, the head of industry portal “Airport” Oleg Panteleev. The point is that some countries (mostly tourist) willing to let the Russians and others are not. On the other hand, it is not always Russia is ready to restore air links with these countries due to security reasons. However, negotiations at the bilateral level are continuing, so there is a chance that the list of allowed flights of countries will be updated.
The main international passenger traffic will, of course, Turkey. “For the Russian resorts it will be a very serious blow, but it will be done immediately”, – said Panteleev. From August 1, will restore the flights to Istanbul and Ankara, and 10 August in the resort town of Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman. Also will resume flights to Tanzania, namely the Paradise island of Zanzibar. Confirmed the opening of air links with Belarus.
“Of course, the opening of Turkey will partially reduce demand for our resorts. There is no doubt,” says Sergei Romashkin, CEO of tour operator “Dolphin”, dealing mainly with domestic tourism.
However, I can’t complain: July shows outstanding results, and August, apparently, will be held in slightly more relaxed mode. “In August 2019 Turkey phave renal 1 million tourists from Russia. However, this year will fly, of course, less. Not all tourists will be able in this emergency to decide on a trip. Many take such decisions during the year to rest. You need to get enough money together to agree on a vacation,” said Romashkin.
According to him, Turkey may delay Russian South 500 thousand tourists.
“the Crimea is now taking about 50 thousand tourists per day. In August the Peninsula can accept 1.5 million tourists, Krasnodar region – more than 3.5 million tourists.
If Turkey takes on our South half a million people, so the number of tourists to the Crimea and the Krasnodar territory will decline in August to 5 million by 10% to 4.5 million. This compares with last year’s figures. For the year it will be only a few percent”, – says Sergey Romashkin.
The opening of Turkey – is understandable. This country is vitally interested in Russian tourists, which make a serious contribution to Turkish GDP. And lately it’s been officially marked improvement in the epidemiological situation.
The opening of the UK too logical. It is not a member of the EU, and the EU does not want to let the Russians to themselves for fear of the virus. Meanwhile, between Russia and UK remain close business contacts and migration, as financial and legal and the real estate market.
Unknown horse in this list was the African Tanzania with the Paradise island of Zanzibar. If Turkey is a massive budget beach holiday, it is possible that Zanzibar has opened for wealthier Russians prefer to relax on is not yet available in the Maldives or Bali?
In fact, in the professional tourism community already there were jokes about Tanzania. They are dedicated to the fact that now the search engines will simply explode, as Russians rush to buy tours to Zanzibar. In reality, however, the tourist market is confident that the island, before flying a few Russians, and will now fly a little. No competition, neither the Russian South or Turkish tourism the African island will not make.
“To Zanzibar flew only one tour operator. In the best of times it was 500 Russians in a month. Yes, it is an African exotic, but stay on this island, in fact, not luxurious, but modest. The bulk of the accommodation is 3-4 star. The people who were vacationing in the Maldives, of course, to not fly”, – says Sergey Romashkin.
Tour operators expect the opening of the Belarus and Abkhazia. Historically, these areas are the tour operators specialized in domestic rather than outbound tourism.
“We are waiting for the opening of Abkhazia and Belarus in August. We do not understand why they are still not open. It is possible that Russian leaders believe their data is inaccurate infection,” says Romashkin. The tourist flow from Russia to these two countries pretty big. In 2019 they took more than 1 million tourists from Russia. “It’s certainly not as powerful as Turkey, which has taken in the past year, 7 million Russians, but it is comparable to the flow to Greece or Spain,” says the head of “Dolphin”.
In his opinion,
the discovery of Abkhazia will help to unload Sochi, where tourists already complain of too a large number of people.
Besides, in Abkhazia, a longer holiday season: the temperature is 2-3 degrees warmer than in Sochi. In Belarus, Russians are attracted to the sanatorium. However, for these countries air transportation is not so important. To stay in Abkhazia, the Russians fly through Adler, and go to Belarus, as a rule, by train or car.
Tour operators expect that next in line is the opening of the European countries. While the EU is not ready to let the Russians, but he’ll be back to discuss this issue on August 3. At best, therefore, a number of European countries may open in mid-August, does not exclude Romashkin. However, it is unlikely that the departure will open the whole European Union.
“The three countries which are most interested in the Russians is Greece, Spain and Italy. They are actively trying to drag the decision on resumption of flights. These three countries are critically important for us, as they account for half of all European tourist arrivals,” said Romashkin.
Will rise if the price of overseas flights? In the first weeks the prices may be low, but as soon as sales go, the airlines can raise fares, says Oleg Panteleev. “If demand is low, then the price will be low. Now the cost of tickets in Russia is 30-40% lower than last year. Airlines are suffering losses, but to sell more I can’t. But if the blast is high demand for international flights, and the price for tickets can fly,” says Roman Gusarov.
But to increase tariffs in comparison with last year, the airline will be afraid. “A significant reduction in seat capacity has not occurred and the route network was reduced. So, airlines will push for a narrow market, so they will inevitably have to offer low rates to somehow attract passengers. With the expansion of accessible route network rates will rise,” – says Oleg Panteleev. And to the greatest extent on the increase in prices will affect the events of late August-early September, when the bankruptcy of airlines, the expert adds.
According to ATOR, tour operators have begun to offer tours in Turkey. So, for a week in Alanya together you can fly over 51 thousand rubles with accommodation in a three star hotel. For three trips on an “all inclusive” will cost 76 thousand rubles, but in a four star hotel. Airlines have also already selling tickets to the allowed countries.
And, of course, necessary��odimo to follow the rules of traffic. Masks and gloves are compulsory and at the airport and on the plane. Although seat passengers using one aboard, no one will. However, to get up from his seat only with the permission of the steward. Mandatory help is about the absence of the virus, which only lasts so long. In any case, it is necessary to clarify the rules of the host country, which may differ. It is recommended to buy health insurance, which can provide a treatment abroad that is against the new virus. It will cost from 2 to 10 thousand rubles.
