The New Year holidays are over. Many Russians spent them at home, but this year, the number of those who went to the resorts increased. The rating of the preferences of tourists during these New Year holidays was not very different from the beginning of 2017. According to the director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), Maya Lomidze, Sochi remains the leading direction. It is followed by Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, India and the Dominican Republic. European skiing resorts - Italy, Austria, Andorra, France, Switzerland - are far behind.
In total, according to the estimation of the tourism business, the demand has increased from 15% to 30% almost in all directions compared to the previous year. The ATOR analysts think that the reason for this is that the cost of the tours has not changed in comparison with the previous New Year holidays. Lomidze recalled that earlier, each year, the cost of the New Year Holidays both in Russia and abroad increased traditionally by about 15-20%. It was a standard increase in the prices because the New Year holidays are the peak of the high season. This year, there was no price increase. At Russian resorts, the cost increased within inflation, and this growth was almost insignificant for consumers. The cost of the foreign directions also did not change in terms of currency compared to the previous year. This led to an increase in demand.
Maya Lomidze noted that many tourists have extended their vacation until January 14, and special offers and price cuts are expected next week.
According to the director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, these New Year holidays, there were no emergency situations - the tourists were not delayed at the airports, and the travel companies fulfilled all their obligations. Although the natural disasters have not yet gone down in the Alps, tourists do not suffer from this. "There is no panic, and no one complains about their bitter fate, being ‘immured’ in a 4-star hotel in the middle of the Alpine mountains," Lomidze said.
