“Complete collapse” for two or three weeks, during which the main demand will be generated not by tourists but those wishing to flee Russia, falling purchasing power by 80% along with rising prices for outbound tours to 200 thousand rubles. (45,000 hryvnias) – and the slow resumption of tourism for about six months. This forecast of the upcoming trends was announced at the ATOR site by the head of the Space Travel tour operator Artur Muradyan.
“Now they go abroad not for rest, but to wait for troubled times for a month or two” or even to emigrate. In the conditions of limited transportation and increased demand from this audience, the cost of tickets for departure from Russia has increased many times over, “he said. As for pure tourism, it will still be in collapse for at least two or three weeks, or, according to the expert, “in complete coma.” And then – those who will survive it all – will have to deal with the following “trends”:
- 80% – according to experts – a decline in purchasing power due to the depreciation of the ruble, as well as the ban on Visa and Mastercard, and new currency rules. “People will have nothing to go to. There is nothing to fly. And with nothing. Cards do not work, the sale of cash currency is prohibited, “said the expert.
- And so far the entry of the Chinese payment systems market – that is, Union Pay – “a very conditional exit.” According to the expert, when using Union Pay there is a conversion into three currencies, and due to the conversion of exchange rates and commissions, losses will be up to 15%, which is unacceptable.
- Another trend will be the deterioration of attitudes towards Russian tourists. Eastern and Asian countries are calmly assessing the situation around the global geopolitical conflict, but in Europe the mood is already negative. On the other hand, it is unlikely that Russian tourists will see Europe in the near future – but the risk of encountering unwanted “colleagues” and hotel staff is not so small.
- Also, according to the expert in the “new reality”, the number of “outsiders” will increase significantly – it will be government officials, servicemen, police, etc.
What awaits tourists as a result of these trends? First of all, the rise in prices for everything, although hoteliers will have to “balance”. “Given the declining markets of Ukraine and Russia, Egyptian hoteliers will have to reduce accommodation prices for the CIS market to maintain flows. However, taking into account the increase in the price of air gas and the depreciation of the ruble package tours (flight + hotel) to Egypt cheaper than 150-200 thousand rubles. will not be, “Artur Muradyan said. In Turkey, the expert also predicts that demand will remain – although the country is rising due to the fall of the ruble and reduced traffic, the offer is “all inclusive”, which avoids buying currency and unnecessary spending on vacation will be a significant plus. Moreover, tours to Turkey are even predicted to “burn”. “At the start of the season, sales in the direction of” burning “will not be, but then, perhaps in June, the situation will change, as the purchasing power of Russians will decline,” – said Artur Muradyan.
Holidays in Russia are also becoming more expensive, as the cost of everything will increase, including the maintenance of tourist facilities (such as hotels) and service. “We are facing an era of inflation and hyperinflation. Holidays in the country will soon cost the same amount as previously paid for tours to the Emirates and Turkey, both in the budget and in the “five-star” segments, “-” intimidated “Artur Muradyan. He also noted that it is time for hoteliers to turn to the organized market. This is especially true for the small and private sector, which has received customers exclusively through aggregator platforms.
“The situation in the tourism market will be the most difficult in the next 4-6 months,” said the expert.
For those who care about a healthy lifestyle, we recommend reading: “One banana a day works wonders for eyesight and skin“.