Leading Russian tour operators report about serious increase in demand for Spanish direction this summer and advise tourists who are going on holiday to Spain in August-September, to hurry up to book the tours.
RESULTS OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON
Almost all the tour operators say about the increase of the volume of bookings of Spanish direction this summer, which was promoted by both successful sales in the framework of early booking program and a relatively stable ruble exchange rate. That’s all helps to create a good depth of sales.
Interestingly, according to Yandex, in June this year only two countries from TOP-10 were able to demonstrate an increase of the number of requests for holiday in comparison with June of the last year. And these are Spain and Thailand.
All players of Spanish direction noted unprecedented success of the early booking action. And the specialists of the tour operator TUI Russia say that, as a whole, it is the hit of the season. It is confirmed by official statistics for the first five months of this year. According to the Institute of Statistics of Spain, in January-May more than 305.000 Russian tourists visited Spain, which exceeded the figures for the same period of the last year by 13.5%.
The experts also note an increase of sales of tours to Spain in the second half of the season. Marina Makarkova, the Head of the public relations department of Coral Travel tour operator confirmed that the demand for Spain this year definitely grew.
"Already by the end of May, seats of flights to Mallorca were sold by 80%, to Barcelona – by 60%", - she says. As for the prospects for the second half of the season, Coral Travel also has a good sales dynamics: flights are “closed” by 75% until mid-September. In early September the mainland resorts are in demand, in mid-September - Mallorca is a leader.
The press service of "Biblio Globus" tour operator reported that the period from the end of August to the middle of October is now actively booked. "In general, the activity of bookings in this summer season is much higher than in the past", - according to Biblio Globus.
Renat Bederdinov, manager of the European department of VEDI TURGRUPP reported that the average depth of sales of Spain is from 2 to 3 months. "We have already requests for New Year's holidays", - he says.
Anna Abashkina, the Head of the Spanish direction of ANEX Tour, said that more than 80% of the sales of the season have already been realized.
WHAT RESORTS OF SPAIN ARE IN THE TOP OF REQUESTS
The representatives of TUI Russia, ANEX Tour, Biblio Globus and ILC Group note that Catalan resorts of Costa Dorada and Costa Brava, as well as Mallorca, are best booked. Customers of Coral Travel choose mainly Mallorca and Costa Dorada.
Majorca is the leader of PAX tour operator, for which this season in Spain is a premiere. In the top requests of this tour operator are hotels of Spanish chain Iberostar, where tourists can choose family hotels and hotels, designed only for guests from 16 years.
The BSI Group also noted the increased interest for the rest on the islands of Canary archipelago - Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura.
Russian Express, BSI Group and ANEX Tour add to this top list Tenerife. VIP-clients of ILC Group prefer the resorts of Costa del Sol. Many tourists of this company book also a holiday on the coast with accommodation in Barcelona and Madrid.
