Russian tour operators note that Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations during this period, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said.
Thus, the demand for tours to Greece increased by 15-20%, to the Czech Republic - by up to 30%. Cyprus and Italy are also popular among Russians during the May holidays.
"It is more difficult to monitor similar trends for Turkey, since Russian tour operators did not organize tourist trips to this country in May 2016.
Therefore, it is more correct to compare today's "May" indicators with the indicators of 2015, "- quotes the materials of the association RIA Novosti.
According to the general manager of OTIUM Hotel Life Kemer (working with Coral Travel) Tarik Kirankaya, the number of Russian tourists in the hotel during these May holidays increased by 30% in comparison with the same period last year.
Analysts point out that in any case, based on the results of the first May weekend, one can at least say that the indicators of the Russian tourist traffic in 2015 in Turkey are considered to be reached (for this period).
"In general, according to tour operators, now Turkey is on of the popular tourist destinations during the May holidays - it was chosen by almost every third tourist who decided to spend the May vacation abroad," ATOR added.
Professor of the Department of Business Process Management in Production and Service of RANEPA, Galina Dekhtyar, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, stressed that Russians prefer Turkey primarily because of qualitative rest.
The tourist flow has been restored due to the fact that the Turkish side is giving discounts, due to an organized visa-free entry of Russian citizens," the expert noted.
She clarified that there was some instability in the interaction of Moscow and Ankara, for example, Rosaviation's warning about the possible abolition of charter flights led only to a decline in booking, but after the normalization of the situation, the tourist flow restored," Galina Dekhtyar concluded.
Senior Lecturer of the Department of Management and Business at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences of RANEPA, Yevgeny Itsakov, in turn, recalled that Turkey has always been a very popular destination among Russians. "Now the Turks also came up with more attractive price offers. On the other hand, the tour operators offered a price in rubles for many hotels, which also increases the attractiveness. The novelty effect also works, as everyone who wanted to visit Turkish resorts is in a hurry to do it," he explained.
At the same time, according to Yevgeny Itsakov, the Russian tourist flow to Turkey will stop active growth in the future. "In the two years when Russian people did not visit Turkey, they found alternative options, and perhaps they will go there. If Turkey continues to offer attractive tour prices, it will have new customers," the expert expects.
