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El número de turistas rusos que viajaron en enero aumentó del 37 al 55 por ciento

Informe semanal de noticias del mercado ruso de la Oficina de Turismo de Tenerife en Moscú

Travel agencies noted an increase of tourists in January

According to a Biletix survey conducted in early January, the number of Russians seeking to travel increased from 37% to 55%. Experts of online travel agencies explain this trend by the strengthening of the national currency that reduces the cost of air tickets by 15-19%.

Due to coronavirus in China, Aeroflot Airlines offers passengers who have bought tickets to this country to return them without penalty.

Russian tourists appear to be undeterred by a new flu-like coronavirus in China, Russian travel agencies told the state-run TASS news agency as the country’s Health Ministry called it a “biological threat.” The virus has killed nine people and infected more than 400 in an outbreak originating from the central city of Wuhan, spreading fear of a global contagion and rattling financial markets. A popular destination for Russian travelers is Hainan island, a province off China’s southern coast 1,500 kilometers away from the outbreak’s epicenter. 

Rostourism recommended to traveles to refrain from visiting Wuhan

At most, travelers called in to inquire about updates, Tez Tour said and added that bookings into Hainan kept coming in. “We’re monitoring the situation, and so far, demand for beach holidays in Сhina remains stable,” Intourist, Russia’s oldest travel agency, told TASS.  Several other unnamed sources in Russia’s tourist industry said demand for holidays in Hainan remained stable, TASS reported. Russia’s consumer health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, advised Russian tourists who planned to go to China to refrain from visiting Wuhan and to steer clear of zoos and of markets selling animals and seafood. No other travel precautions or advisories to any other destination are in place for now.

But also tour operators are required to return the full amount in case of cancelation of tours to China to their clients. According to experts, this situation may negatively affect the financial condition of several companies, especially those which specializes on tour to this destination. This year, tours to Hainan were sold very actively, tour operators reported high demand.

Yandex will provide an opportunity to book hotels directly

Yandex updated its Yandex.Travel service, expanding the search and booking options for hotels. One of the main updates was the ability to book accommodation at prices directly from service providers. The service also reflects the bonuses that the hotel offers: discounts, free cancellation, welcome dinner, etc. In addition, in the system you can find a hotel upon request, for example, «a hotel with a restaurant and a water park in Bulgaria.»

Thailand fears a decrease in tourist flow

According to the forecasts of Thai experts, the number of tourists in the country this year may decrease. This was reported by nationthailand.com portal with a link to the Thai Travel Agent Association. “The main negative factor is the strengthening of the national currency, which can reduce the number of tourists from the expected 41-42 million people. In addition, the level of air pollution goes beyond safe boundaries. Tourists will feel uncomfortable if everyone around will wear respirators,” said Vishit Prakobgosol, President of the Thai Travel Agent Association.

According Russian experts, our tourist market doesn’t expect prices for tours to Thailand to decrease in connection with this situation. “We don’t anticipate a significant change in tariffs soon.” said ANEX Tour Deputy General Director Yana Muromova.

Destination News

Russia is now working to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus strain, Rospotrebnadzor was quoted by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency as saying. «Yes, of course, the development of a vaccine is underway. Every time we have a mutation (of a virus), we start developing a vaccine immediately,» Anna Popova, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, was quoted on Monday, January 27, 2020.

RIA cited Elena Yezhlova, head of Rospotrebnadzor’s Epidemiological Surveillance Department, as explaining the process: «The development of a vaccine is a long and complicated process; a decision is made on the basis of risk and the level of need dictated by the current situation,» Yezhlova was quoted as saying. «At present, we will rely on the WHO’s recommendations.» There are no suspected cases of coronavirus in Russia, the watchdog said, adding that it has strengthened its sanitary and quarantine control at all entry points into the country. Though the origin of the virus had yet to be identified, the World Health Organization said the primary source was probably of animal origin. Chinese officials have linked the outbreak to Wuhan’s seafood market. More than 655,000 Russian tourists visited China between January and September 2019, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has said.

Egypt is preparing for the opening

Russian aviation security inspectors arrived in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh for the next inspection. Egyptian media were optimistic that the delegation “praised” the security measures taken at local airports. This inspection may indeed prove decisive to open Egypt to Russian tourists by allowing direct charters to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.

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