Despite the recent rumors Russian resorts on the Black Sea coast did not reduce prices of their services. As a result, vacations in foreign destinations are on average 20-30 percent cheaper than in the local Russian resorts.

The Incoming Tourism Committee of Russian Travel Union recently presented their research comparing the prices of holidays in Russia and abroad. The results clearly demonstrate that the previous expectation that Russians will stay at home during the world crisis will most likely not fulfill.     

Comparison of average prices for tour-packages in Sochi, Anapa (both in Russia), Crimea (Ukraine), Egypt, Turkey and Bulgaria in selected accommodations in the category 3* per person in a standard double room in Euros (€1=45 roubles) for 12 days/11 nights:

Destination    June    July     August         Board

Turkey             558      629      689      All inclusive

Egypt               602      544      636      All inclusive

Bulgaria           558      753      821      All inclusive

Sochi               604      750      833      half/full board

Anapa             695      878      906      full board

Crimea            651      853      940      half/full board

Tour packages for Sochi, Anapa and Crimea include accommodation, board and a regular flight from Moscow. Packages for Turkey, Egypt and Bulgaria include accommodation, board, charter flight from Moscow, transfer and insurance. The table clearly shows that, for instance, in July an “all inclusive” tour package in Egypt is by 61.9 percent cheaper than a package with full board in Anapa. Prices in Russia do not include some services, e.g. spa procedures, therefore the total price for a package could be even higher. Despite the high prices, Russian resorts often offer programs not found abroad – e.g. specific spa treatment.

After the financial crisis in Russia in 1998, tourism was growing by 20-25 percent annually. Prices of accommodation in sanatoriums and hotels were also growing similarly fast. This year however it is expected, that the number of tourists will decline by 20-30 percent.

Hotels focusing on foreign tourists in Moscow and St. Petersburg already started to reduce their prices. However, hotels which focus on domestic clients do not plan similar strategy. Local experts suggest that many owners of Russian hotels got used to a very short period of payback. Unfortunately they do not realize that the time of “fast money” is gone.

Source: http://ratanews.ru/