ATOR told when the restoration of tourism will begin

ATOR (Association of Tour Operators of Russia) Executive Director Maya Lomidze during online press conference spoke about forecasts for the restoration of organized tourist flow after the stabilization of the pandemic situation and the necessary measures of state support for the industry.

According to ATOR forecasts, the restoration of tourist flow will begin from domestic destinations that will be opened earlier than foreign ones.

“Before July, most likely, no one will go anywhere. We hope that Russia will be opened for tourists in July or August and this will be the beginning of the restoration of the tourism market. It is hard to say how the situation will develop in foreign markets, but most likely they will open at different times. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that in 2021, most likely, it will be possible to travel the world in the same way as before the pandemic,” said Maya Lomidze.

According to Ms. Lomidze, market participants predict a “colossal pent-up demand” of tourist trips after the pandemic. This is what gives reason to believe that the tourism industry will survive, and the players will do their best to survive the period of “coronavirus knockdown” in the “energy saving” mode.

Nevertheless, according to ATOR forecasts, the recovery rate of the tourism market will not be fast.

“After the pandemic, even after taking into account pent-up demand, the tourism market will need at least 6-8 months to start returning to the pre-crisis level,” Ms. Lomidze emphasized.