Autumn season can increase sales of tours to Cyprus

For the first 7 months 2018 the Russian tourist flow to Cyprus decreased by 5% in comparison with the same period of 2017, and July month showed a decline of 5.9% on a year-on-year basis. Tour operators hope that the direction can get back these losses during autumn season. According to the results of 7 months 2018, almost 439 thousand Russians have visited the country (a decline of 5.0%). In July fewer Russian tourists arrived in Cyprus than in June (121 thousand against 123) and 5.9% less than in July of the last year. For January-July period the Russian market continues to be the second largest incoming market after the British one, with a 20.1% share of total entering traffic, and with a 22.5% share in July (27.5% in June 2017). Totally, for 6 months of this year Cyprus has been visited more than 2.184 million foreign tourists (+ 9.6% against the same period of 2017). Cyprus explains the decline of tourist flow from Russian Federation by activity of Turkey on the Russian market, as well as by fluctuations of the ruble exchange rate. "By the end of the year we assume that the demand for Cyprus will grow slightly. According to the results of current sales, we can note that the direction remained in the volumes of the previous year”, - say the representatives of TUI Russia operator. The press service of Biblio-Globus tour operator reported that a slight slowdown of sales for Cyprus was connected with rapid currency fluctuations, which were observed at the initial stage of the season. Today, the demand’s indicators reached last year's level. The depth of booking tours on the direction reaches January 2019. According to market participants, in the autumn season Russian tourists do not face a shortage of accommodation in Cyprus hotels: many tour operators in Cyprus have blocks of rooms. In addition, tour operators support themselves sales of the direction. So, for promoting of the direction ANEX Tour issues a number of special offers. Cyprus participates in the traditional bonus program, as well as in the new loyalty program "1000 and 1 night", in framework of which ANEX Tour provides free rest for its partners. According to experts, the sales volume of Cyprus will either remain at the level of the previous year or show a slight increase - about 3-5%. According to market participants, a lot of will depend on the ruble exchange rate. If the rate stabilizes, it will help to sell all abroad destinations, including Cyprus.