Author: VK
The resorts of Krasnodar Territory used to be popular in Soviet times for their healing and health-improving qualities. The main benefit of Krasnodar Territory is the diversity of climate zones, making Kuban open for resorts all year round. The campaign for popularization of the resorts of Krasnodar Territory started in 2002. Kuban has been developing construction and tourism projects, increasing the tourism flow from 5 to 10-11 million visitors in 2002-2010. Most of the local tourism infrastructure has not been changed since Soviet times. However, high prices and the low quality of tourism services make Turkey a more attractive place for Russian tourists. Modernization of resorts in Krasnodar Territory is connected with the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games.
Ilya Umansky, Director General of Alevi Media, tried to assess the resorts of Krasnodar Territory and give reasons for Russian tourists preferring the resorts of Turkey and Egypt at the press conference "Prospects of development of the internal tourism market for 2012". According to statistics, Krasnodar Territory will have 11 million tourists in 2011, exceeding the figures in 2010 by 3%. An average price per night at local hotels has not changed since 2010 and costs 2100 rubles, with tourists staying an average of 8.6 days. The tourism flow to Sochi increased by 14%, Anapa - 23%, Gelendzhik and Tuapse saw more tourists. Most tourists in Krasnodar Territory are mothers with children. Anapa is the best place for such visitors, it suffered from an economic recession. Several sanatoria and health centers in Sochi were closed this year for reconstruction, which will probably reduce the number of visitors next year. Gelendzhik has not been developed for a long time, but the opening of an airport last year attracted more tourists. Tuapse is still at a disadvantage to other resorts of the Krasnodar Territory, due to its lack of air and rail transport. Prices will rise by 3-5% next year but a larger flow of tourists is not expected next year. One of the reasons is the closures of low-budget airlines and lack of charter flights.
Umansky said that businessmen attempt to launch charter flights every year, but they fail due to high ticket prices. Charter flights to Turkey are not competitive when compared to regular flights of air companies, while air service does not have a 17% tax for internal transport. Service at Russian airports is often more expensive than at Turkish airports. Tours to Turkey are more beneficial for Russian tourists. Umansky noted that foreign tourism operators often compensate prices for charter flights, making the journey a lot cheaper for Russians. Prices for labour, agricultural products, land and communications are often higher in Krasnodar Territory than Turkey or Egypt. These figures affect the final price for tourism products in Krasnodar Territory and make it less attractive when compared to Turkey, Egypt and other states.
Umansky noted that foreign states create beneficial conditions for investors, offering land, communications and tax benefits, while the development of business projects in Krasnodar Territory faces red tape. This causes inefficiency of tourism projects in the region and provides little income and sometimes losses. He said that if Alevi Media lacked business experience in other regions it would have had no tourist clients and it would not build resorts in Krasnodar Territory.
Video: Why are Krasnodar resorts more expensive than Turkish ones?
