Tour operators optimized outgoing programs by means of charters from Russian regions

Almost all major Russian tour operators have reduced the volume of outgoing tourism. The reductions mainly affected regional programs, meanwhile the tourist flow from Moscow is almost on the same level, as the survey conducted by Interfax Tourism shows.

As the president of Natalie Tours Vladimir Vorobiev said, in Spain, the total volume of transportation for the summer in 2015 reduced by 40%. This reduction was done mainly by the cancelation or reduction of regional flights, especially from the cities of Siberia, which in previous years were unprofitable. The transportation from Moscow is almost not affected.

"In Greece, the reduction is also about 40%. In Italy, the number of charter flights is reduced by half, but there it is compensated by a large number of independent travelers who use regular flights," the expert said.

Tour operator TUI Russia cut a fifth of its summer programs in comparison with the volume of 2014. If a year ago, the departures to popular destinations were available from many Russian regions, this year the company opens the new season only with flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 2915, TUI operate flights from Moscow to Turkey, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Greece; From St. Petersburg to Turkey, Egypt and Montenegro.

"We were among the first who has stopped regional flight programs, we kept only flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Now we see that it was the right decision. Almost all major tour operators cancelled or reduced their regional programs. Now the volumes of transportation from regions match its demand, we do not see any deficit ," the Product, Marketing and Contracting Director of TUI Russia Ivor Vukelik said.

According to experts, in conditions of falling demand, it makes sense to cooperate mostly with destinations which are interested in the growth of tourist flow from Russia and which give discounts and special conditions for Russian travelers. Therefore, the number of tourists in Turkey and Egypt is on the level of the last year. A program for Montenegro is even expanded. "According to our estimates, Montenegro will be the most successful European destination in the season, so this year we have added to the departure from Moscow the departures from Petersburg. In addition, we increased transportation volume to Greece and Cyprus," Ivor Vukelik said.

Tez Tour Company reported that they reduced transportation to Turkey by ​​25-30%. The season in Greece is doing well, we expect the reduction not more than by 20%. The season in Spain and Italy is going worse, here we expect the reduction by 35-40% and 45%, respectively, the commercial director of Tez Tour Alexander Burtin said.

According to him, the situation may change as the season has not yet begun. "Serious flight programs start in late May-early June. It is always the possibility to enlarge the transportation, it can be done very quickly," the expert said.

Vladimir Vorobiev from Natalie Tours noted that tour operators cut down not only the flight program, but also the range of hotels. Tour operators keep only the most popular among Russians hotels who offer the best value for money.

While the charter programs with the flights from Russian regions to European countries are reduced, the regular flight carries expand geography of Russian cities. Thus, the Spanish airline Vueling to last year's route to Barcelona from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad added this year Kazan, Samara and Krasnodar. FlyDubai announced the start of flights to Dubai from Nizhny Novgorod and Novosibirsk. According to Vladimir Vorobiev from Natalie Tours, such programs of regular carriers are very convenient for tour operators and regional tourists in a crisis.