The most negative forecasts about reduction in tourists' flow abroad did not come true

The most negative forecasts about reduction in tourists' flow abroad did not come true: the demand for foreign destinations fell by 25-30%, and this is less than might be expected due to current economic situation, the executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) Maya Lomidze said .

"This season, all foreign destinations lost Russian tourists. Especially in Tunisia, where the number of tourists after the attack has fallen by half, and only now began to recover. However, the most negative predictions have not come true. People still go abroad. Yes, there are less tourists, but the fall is not by two - three times. The number of Russian tourists abroad reduced by 25-30%. There are countries where the situation is better or worse. For example, Egypt has lost only 10-15% of Russians, and Croatia - more than 50%. Thailand has lost more than 60% of tourists' flow. Cyprus remained at the level of the last year. Bulgaria showed minus 20%, Turkey minus 20%, which is higher than expected," Maya Lomidze explained.

According to her, regardless the rise in the dollar and the euro against the ruble, the price of tour packages wasn't increased so much. For example, a week per person in Hurghada last year was worth 15-20 thousand rubles, this year it costs 24-25 thousand rubles. Holidays in the Mediterranean in 2014 amounted 30-40 thousand rubles per person, in 2015 - 50 thousand rubles per person.

She added that inbound tourism market in Russia was always twice bigger than outbound. In 2015, there will be more domestic tourists, since outbound tourism fell by about 30%, and the inbound tourism grew up at the same rate.

According to the tour operator TUI Russia, the average check for a tour package abroad in summer 2015, was about $ 700-850. In dollar terms, the value of tours this year decreased by 15-20%.

In 2014, the Russians made 45.9 million trips abroad, which is 15% less than the year before. During the first quarter of 2015 the number of foreign trips was reduced by 31%.