12/17/2013
The deferred demand in Egypt, accumulated during its «ban» on the Russian travel market, made itself felt: in many regions, the demand for New Year’s tours to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh so much exceeded the supply that the prices for tickets soared up. Several representatives of travel agencies from Yekaterinburg and Kazan told about this to the correspondent of the TURPROM information group. However, in most Egyptian hotels there are still plenty of places for the New Year holidays, the only problem is with transportation, which is in short supply.
“Indeed, judging by the volume of bookings, New Year’s Egypt is in high demand among tourists from the regions and St. Petersburg. Moscow stands apart here — apparently for capital tourists, more expensive destinations are not as heavy financially as for tourists from the regions, ”said Sergei Zalivin, deputy director of the Egyptian receiving travel agency“ ALS-tour ”. However, according to the expert, although the Russian tourist flow to Egypt is growing faster than others, it does not reach its normal level, despite the high demand in the regions.
“The Russian tourist flow has more or less recovered, although it does not reach about 20% to its normal December level. Other European markets, on the other hand, were much more inert. For example, the German tourist flow is less than normal for December by about 50%. Therefore, there is no shortage of places in hotels, including for the New Year. The shortage of Egyptian tours in the Russian regions is explained by the limited transportation, ”the source explained.
Indeed, having started the autumn Egyptian programs late because of the existing «ban», the tour operators did not have time to deliver the usual for Egypt volumes of air transportation by the autumn holidays, limiting themselves to cut-down flight programs. There was no point in expanding them in December due to low demand (now tour packages are sold at a «minus»: tours to Egypt can be found for only $ 200-250 for the next arrivals), and by the end of January, demand in the Egyptian direction is traditionally declining again. “During this time, tour operators usually reduce the volume of their flight programs to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. As a result, in the current autumn-winter season there is only one high season — New Year’s, but it is economically unprofitable to put short flight programs under it — they turn out to be unjustifiably expensive. Therefore, transportation for the New Year and holidays remains at the cut level of early November, which is clearly not enough for everyone. This is where the deficit and high prices arise, ”the expert explained.
By the way, the hotels in Hurghada and hotels in Sharm El Sheikh are not only not increasing prices, but on the contrary — they are decreasing. “Prices for the New Year fell by 20-30%. Moreover, special offers from hotels for holiday arrivals began to arrive back in October, which is not typical for them. Usually hoteliers with low occupancy reduce prices only 2 weeks before the problem arrival, «added Mr. Zalivin.
By the way, the wave of cold that came to Egypt last week has already subsided, and in Hurghada, the second day, the weather was good. “Today the wind has died down, which here brings the main discomfort in winter. The sun is shining, the weather in Hurghada is comfortable. Daytime temperatures rose to 20-22 ° C. And judging by the forecasts, by the New Year it will grow up to 23-25 ° C, which is the norm for this resort, ”the interlocutor summed up.
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Skype: Hurghada RedSeaLine