Turkey has become the most popular foreign holiday destination for the May holidays

The demand for foreign holidays during the May holidays is still behind the pre-Covid 2019 period by about 10%. The most popular destination for Russian tourists during this period is Turkey, said Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

“Nowadays, the demand for May holidays still lags behind 2019 by about 10%. But the demand is just starting to warm up. Tour operators are waiting for the peak of demand from the second half of March. In the segment of organized tourism in terms of sales of tour packages for May holidays, Turkey is confidently leading. Its share in sales for this period ranges from 45 to 70%. The second place in sales is occupied by Egypt, its share in different companies ranges from 7 to 19%. On the third line is Russia. The UAE, Dominican Republic and Cyprus are also in demand,” she said.

According to Lomidze, such a demand for Turkey is quite natural: tour operators start charter programs to Antalya from April 1, and to the Aegean coast from the second half of the month. In addition, the maximum discounts for accommodation in Turkey are valid until the end of winter, and tourists try to buy tours at this time. Now tourists book in Turkey for the May holidays mainly 5 and 5* Deluxe hotels.

Among other popular foreign destinations in early May are Abkhazia, Maldives, Greece, Seychelles and sea cruises.