In Russia, as you know, there is a crisis, so the question "where to relax on the sea at an inexpensive price" is very acute. The tourist flow is decreasing, the struggle for tourists is intensifying. Therefore, the authorities of some countries, not wanting to lose money, are trying with all their might to lure tourists from Russia. What are they doing so that Russians can afford inexpensive vacation on the sea?
Egypt cancels visa fee for Russians
Russia is the main "supplier" of tourists to the resorts of Egypt. Because of fewer and fewer Russians can afford holidays abroad at sea, and in late 2014 - early 2015, the flow of tourists from Russia to Egypt fell by 50%. The authorities of the country of the pyramids pondered. And they decided before the end of the holiday season - that is, until May 15, 2015 - to abolish the visa fee for Russians.
Recall that Russian citizens when traveling to Egypt receive a visa at the border and pay $ 25. Until recently it was about 800 rubles, but now ... I will not even write, because today it is one figure, and tomorrow it can grow a lot. And if you go with a family of three or four people? What kind of an inexpensive vacation at sea, what kind of "all-inclusive", when one visa eats up several thousand rubles.
Where to relax on the sea is inexpensive: in order to bring more Russian tourists to its place, Egypt has canceled the visa fee of $ 25.
After May 15, 2015, the visa fee for Russians is again valid and amounts to the same $ 25. But the season is now already "low" - most of those who wanted to go to Egypt this year have already been there. The Egyptian authorities are confident that the innovation did not allow the tourist flow from Russia to collapse even more.
As for further plans, now the country of the pyramids is considering the possibility of selling tours for Russians at fixed prices in rubles. And many Hurghada hotels and Sharm El Sheikh so that tourists do not run away, they reduced the prices for accommodation.
Well done Egyptians.
Turkey gives discounts and helps airlines
The All-Union Health Resort Antalya also does not want to lose tourists from Russia, who are used to spending an inexpensive vacation at sea. Therefore, the Turkish government adopted a special anti-crisis package aimed specifically at Russian tourists. For example, there is a clause that Turkey will allocate subsidies of $ 6,000 for each flight from Russia and back.
According to English-language Thai newspapers, in Pattaya and Phuket, Thais have long felt the blow of the Russian crisis on their wallets. And they turned to the authorities: there are fewer and fewer Russian tourists, something needs to be done! Don't do anything, the government replied. "We are confident that the Russian economy will soon recover," Tawatchai Arunyik, head of the tourism department of Thailand, said at a press conference recently. In how: when even the Russian authorities admit that the crisis is serious and for a long time, the Thais promise us an early economic sabai.
In the meantime, there are few Russian tourists, Thai resort workers are advised to switch to others. At this time, Russians will find other places for themselves where to go and where to relax on the sea at an inexpensive price.
At the same time, poor Thais, in fact, have no one to switch from Russian tourists. Especially in Pattaya. Tourists from Europe and America bypass our city, preferring to it, and. Of white people, besides Russians, there are only a lot of old perverts here, but you can't make a lot of money on them.
So while the Turks and the Egyptians are trying to do something so that the Russians can have a cheap vacation at sea, and they can save at least a part of their income, the Thais prefer to just sit and wait until the Russian economy recovers, and after it the flow of tourists. How is that Buddhist, right?)))
Where to relax on the sea inexpensively in 2015? Of course, in Thailand! After all, you have our website and our article about.
The Lonely Planet Best in travel yearbook traditionally talks about various directions of tourism, including grouping them "by interests." Before 2015, the publication will be released for the first time in Russia - AiF.ru publishes an excerpt from the yearbook dedicated to travel of all kinds - from budget vacation to luxurious.
1. Tunisia
Today, when Tunisia is mentioned, the conversation is no longer about security, but about the restoration of the tourism industry and a new look at the hospitable possibilities of the country. The security issue in Tunisia has been settled, so that tourists again pay attention to the most compact offer in North Africa.
Prices will remain low this year (to bring back tourists) and resorts will be less crowded - you have Tunisia at your fingertips. Stay in cosmopolitan Tunisia, go to see the scenery at “ Star Wars". Or - explore the Roman (and Carthaginian!) Ruins in the north of the country.
Seasonal charters from European airports to Djerba will save you a lot.
Tunisia's old town was used as the backdrop for Star Wars. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Currency fluctuations mean South Africa is more accessible than ever for some travelers. Instead of just being surprised at the cheap rand (South African currency), check out the list of opportunities this country offers to budget travelers. Fantastic wildlife for every pocket, inexpensive (and tourist friendly) public transport and free admission to the country's most important museums. If the rate fluctuates in your favor, you're in luck. Regardless, however, any tourist will find affordable entertainment here, whether it's a fun coastal café in Cape Town or affordable camping. Come in the off-season (in South Africa it is February, March, September and October), and you get the best combination of comfortable weather and the absence of crowds of tourists.
Republic of South Africa. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Despite all the high-end discoveries in China's most famous coastal city, Shanghai remains surprisingly affordable for budget travelers. A bed in the dormitory will cost only $ 10; nice low prices are waiting for you in the hotels of the middle price segment (a tangible difference is in the hotels of international chains and fashionable boutique hotels). It's the same with food: typical street food stalls for a dollar and - large portions in popular restaurants for a little more money. Most importantly, walking the safe and bustling streets of the metropolis will not cost you a single yuan.
Romania. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Burkina Faso (or simply Burkina - after all, we go to "you") is still considered a rare gem. Little known, but it makes such an indelible impression on travelers that, once they have been, they yearn to return there. They talk about vibrant markets, friendly local residents, mesmerizing rock formations and endless energy of Ouagadougou - the capital with an unpronounceable name. Affordable prices and surprisingly good safari in the south of the country is the best introduction to West Africa can not found.
Traveling in Burkina is easy with air-conditioned buses. Buses always run on schedule; tickets can be bought in advance. In the more distant parts of the country, colorful taxi-brousses (bush-taxis) go.
Burkina Faso. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Excerpt courtesy of EKSMO Publishing House
Due to the well-known economic situation in our country, the usual resort directions in the new year have changed somewhat. Tour operators offer the best solution - to have a rest in Russia, and also talk about the most best resorts, which until now have been undeservedly deprived of the attention of citizens.
Abkhazia offers a wonderful vacation on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The most convenient way to Abkhazia for Russian tourists is through the Adler district of the city of Sochi - just a couple of extra hours on the way, and you find yourself in a zone of almost ideal climate. Depending on the resort, you can just relax and really improve your health. It is in Abkhazia that the formerly cult resort of Gagra is located - one of the most scenic spots in the country. Holiday season lasts from May to October, but if you are not interested beach vacation and visit historical monuments, then Abkhazia can be visited at any time. Capital Sukhum, New Athos, as well as the aforementioned Gagra are the cities richest in architectural and historical delights. The legendary Lake Ritsa in New Athos is considered one of the cleanest lakes on earth.
rest in Crimea will also surprise you with its variety. A typical beach holiday here is compatible with cultural activities and even clubbing. It all depends on the specific resort and your choice. In general, Crimea is called Russian California - there is an extremely favorable stable climate and surprisingly clean air. The landscapes of Crimea are absolutely delightful. This is where filmmakers usually shoot views of the French Riviera. Among the most popular resorts are Koktebel, Alupka and Yalta.
For those who would like to go on vacation without fail abroad or have prejudices about traditional Russian resorts, tour operators offer Eastern European destinations. In particular, Montenegro, Croatia and Romania... The richest natural attractions in these countries are combined with impressive ancient architecture. It is best to have a rest with children in Montenegro. The beaches and hotels of this country are perfectly prepared for the reception of young tourists. Croatia offers huge parks and nature reserves, which are conveniently accessible from any city. As for Romania, apart from the Black Sea coast here you can find real pieces of the Middle Ages, see impressive old castles and raft on the Danube Delta by ferry.
Also, tour operators report that the popularity of Russian tourists from countries is growing every year. South America. Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil are the key countries in this direction. Rest in them will not be so budgetary, but it will bring truly unforgettable impressions.
Where to spend your vacation in 2015? Where to expect discounts and special offers? And what if there is no money, but you want to rest?
The fall in the ruble has forced many to reconsider their vacation plans, but the tourist services market is still too early to bury. Due to the depreciation of the ruble, demand is redistributed in favor of domestic tourism, - says Sergey Shpilko, chairman of the Moscow Tourism Committee.
Fresh horizons
If we talk about the foreign direction, the priority structure will remain. The leading positions will remain the directions most accessible to the middle class - Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Thailand, borderlands Finland, China - in general, the directions most accessible to the middle class, which forms massive outbound tourist flows. Obviously, the demand for tourist trips will decline until, since the demand for travel refers to highly dependent on prices and incomes, or, as economists say, highly elastic items of the consumer budget of the population, - explains the chairman of the Moscow Committee for Tourism and Hotel Management. - Plus, for foreign tours, it will be reduced until their cost becomes more competitive for Russians in comparison with trips in their own country. And this, in addition to the exchange rate, depends on the dynamics of prices for Russian vouchers, passenger transportation services within the country and on how long the supply of domestic high-quality tourist products will last. high season, in particular - a resource of high-quality hotel room stock.
So far, the domestic market is winning, and here it is possible to achieve real results in terms of import substitution of tourist services. But how things will go further, it will become clear at the end of this year, and much here will depend on whether the state will be able to support the domestic hospitality industry, ”Shpilko notes.
Victims of propaganda
Another obvious trend is the redistribution of demand in favor of independent travel:
This happens for many reasons: online booking opportunities are expanding, tourists themselves are becoming more experienced travelers, and the number of flight destinations for discounters is growing. Therefore, border statistics show a smaller drop in the number of tourist trips than data from tour operators. This is, in fact, the main challenge to the modern tourist business, to which the most technologically advanced and energetic players of the tourist market will undoubtedly find a worthy answer. Moreover, on mass charter destinations, it is impossible to independently form a tour at a price lower than the tour operator's price, without a serious loss in the quality of service, in most cases today, the expert says.
In the meantime, the majority of domestic tour operators of international destinations are suffering heavy financial losses, which has already led to a series of bankruptcies of outbound tourism companies:
It is important that the next amendments to the Federal Law "On the fundamentals of tourist activities in Russian Federation", Which are under consideration in the State Duma, did not finish off this segment of the tourist market completely. But it is not easy for those who receive foreign tourists companies, and not so much because of themselves, but because of the anti-Russian hysteria in the American and European media, says Shpilko. - It is from these countries that tourist flows are still decreasing, which, however, are partially offset by an increase in arrivals from countries less dependent on. In particular - from countries that have a visa-free or simplified visa regime with Russia. For example, the number of international arrivals from Israel and Turkey to Moscow has increased by 9% this year, and from the now visa-free South Korea- more than 40%. So the intrigue of the entry market this year is to what extent the economic considerations in terms of benefits from the fall in the ruble exchange rate in the minds of foreign tourists will outweigh the ideological clichés.
A new generation of tourism products
Changes in the conjuncture of demand entail changes in the structure of tour operator activities:
The leading tour operators of outbound and inbound tourism enter the domestic market with their technologies and agent networks. And where there are appropriate resources, a new generation of travel products is created, which the consumer himself cannot form online at a price, but which allows them to take more into account their individual wishes. This is a kind of individual tourism at group rates. Such tours, for example, were offered to Moscow at New Year and Christmas. They started from 4 thousand per weekend with accommodation in business-class hotels. And thanks to the last years such new components of the tourist service as regular routes on double-decker buses, winter navigation on the Moskva River on icebreaker-class motor ships, guest cards, not to mention free museums in pedestrian zones and a luxurious program of festive events, they allowed to present the capital in a completely different way on the tourist market, - sums up the chairman of the Moscow Committee for Tourism and Hotel Management.
Now, special offers for weekends and holidays in Moscow will become one of the specialties of this year, especially since they are perfectly combined with visits at the appropriate prices to the Moscow region, the Golden Ring, St. Petersburg, Sochi, and are very profitable on transit when traveling abroad.
