There is a growing demand for tours to winter Istanbul in Russia

Tour operators record an increase in demand for tours to Istanbul this winter season. According to Istanbul authorities, for the first 10 months of 2019 more than 11 million foreign tourists visited the city. Unlike the resort of Antalya, Russian tourists in Istanbul are not leaders, but are among the five most active holidaymakers. 
According to statistics, in January-October, 512 thousand of Russians visited the metropolis, which is 12% ahead of the figures for the same period of 2018. In the winter season the Russian market will show even more noticeable growth dynamics. 
The forecasts of Turkish observers are confirmed by the statistics of Russian tour operators selling tours to Istanbul in the 2019-2020 season. According to market participants, there is an “impressive growth in demand” for winter Istanbul: from 25% to 50% compared to last winter season. 
Specialists of the tour operator Ics Travel Group connect the growing popularity of tours to Istanbul with product variability: this applies to both the variety of hotels and transportation. Regular carriers, charters and low-cost airline Pobeda fly on the rout. 
This season the tour operator Intourist has launched charter chains to Istanbul from Russian cities. According to the representatives of Intourist, they are noting an “avalanche-like growth in demand” for this product. 
Tui Russia experts, whose assortment includes sightseeing programs and city tours based on regular flights to Istanbul, reported an increase in demand for destinations by more than 40%. 
Representatives of the tour operator Space Travel talk about even greater dynamics - 50% in annual terms. At the same time, Space Travel experts pay attention to an increase in the depth of sales of the destination for the New Year holidays up to three months, which was not previously observed. 
According to tour operators, Russians prefer to go to Istanbul for tours lasting from 3 to 7 nights, choosing 3-4* hotels. Requests for luxury hotels are extremely rare.