Industry firms will not go for post-pandemic discount
Russians do not buy tours for the New Year. Even though the companies offer discounts of 25-30%. This was reported by the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR). If earlier it was important for our travelers to have a significant discount on a trip, now they are concerned about possible antique restrictions. The prospect of being left without vacation and without money is somehow not very attractive. At the same time, according to market experts, companies will not continue to cut prices for tours, despite the decline in demand and lack of sales. Experts told what the future holds for the winter tourist season 2021-2022.
Russians do not buy tours for the New Year. Even though the companies offer discounts of 25-30%. This was reported by the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR). If earlier it was important for our travelers to have a significant discount on a trip, now they are concerned about possible antique restrictions. The prospect of being left without vacation and without money is somehow not very attractive. At the same time, according to market experts, companies will not continue to cut prices for tours, despite the decline in demand and lack of sales. Experts told what the future holds for the winter tourist season 2021-2022.
“Now tours for the New Year holidays can be bought with a discount of 20 to 35%, – noted in ATOR. – That is, these tours will cost 20-35% more in winter, as soon as the “high” season begins. Early booking promotions will be valid until November 15th. ” However, despite the discounts, Russians are massively refusing to book vouchers for the winter holidays. What is the reason for this?
Galina Dekhtyar, Professor of the Department of Management and Service of the Institute of Sectoral Management, RANEPA: “Many are afraid to plan a winter vacation, fearing an increase in morbidity. We can say that tours for the New Year are not booked at all. Even the extension of the sales dates for tours with cashback by two weeks, until September 14, did not help. The epidemiological situation is certainly much calmer than it was, but the development of the plot is difficult to predict. I doubt very much that travel agencies will offer travelers big discounts on tours, despite the drop in demand and the lack of sales: hotel owners do not make concessions, flights with luggage are more expensive. The situation in the tourism industry is quite difficult. ”
Artem Deev, Head of Analytical Department, Markets: “Obviously, there will be a rise in the price of tours for the New Year – this happens every year, when people start to book tours and plan trips for the winter holidays. The most popular holiday destinations will grow in price the most – these are ski resorts on the Black Sea coast and the Caucasus, tours to Karelia and the Murmansk region (Teriberka, etc.), as well as to Baikal. As for the refusal of Russians to buy tours for the New Year holidays using the early booking system, then the reason lies in the epidemiological situation. Tourists are not afraid to plan their holidays, but simply do not know how the situation will develop further. It is now clear that all plans can change dramatically if a new increase in the incidence begins (and various responsible persons are already predicting a new wave of coronavirus in Russia in October-November). For the same reason, it is not yet clear which foreign destinations can be opened by the New Year. This will become clear not earlier than in a month and a half ”.
Alexey Krichevsky, expert of the Academy of Finance and Investment Management: “Usually, during the winter holidays, the demand for the most popular destinations for the end of the year grows – ski resorts, tourist attraction centers, places with a milder climate. In Russia, these are Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Krasnodar Territory, and Crimea. It is quite logical that the prices for tours and trips to these cities will be higher than usual by the indicated 20-30%. And it is more than a normal story that such trips are booked in advance together with hotels. Accordingly, vacationers can save the same 20-30% markup thanks to early booking.
But one more nuance that should be taken into account is how the situation with restrictions in Russia will develop and what will be the map of international flights closer to winter. In this regard, tourists have certain doubts about early bookings – no one will be surprised if after the elections the statistics on sick people will grow very quickly, and after it – and restrictions. In general, if we leave out the questions of quarantines and bans on flights, then the demand for Southeast Asia and Egypt may well be at a fairly high level, even despite the incomes of the population sagging in 1.5 years along with powerful inflation. But it is definitely not worth giving any forecasts for the winter in September, since too many factors influence the situation around. “