The key facts

  • Natalya Osipova expects tour prices to rise by about 15% in December
  • The average price level is already about 4% higher than a year earlier
  • The Ministry of Economic Development forecasts about 32 million domestic tourist trips over the winter season

Late bookings and a price growth forecast

Russian travel companies are already accepting requests for New Year tours, but there are few bookings so far — Natalya Osipova, executive director of the Alliance of Travel Agencies association, told the Public News Service, as reported by Gazeta.Ru. According to her, this year travelers are more often postponing the purchase of tickets and the choice of accommodation, which is why suitable options may run out and prices may rise. She put her estimate this way: in December the cost of travel services will increase by about 15%. At the same time, the average price level is already about 4% higher than last year.

Where tourists will go

According to the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development, about 32 million tourist trips will be made within the country over the winter season, a significant share of which will fall on the New Year holidays. Among popular Russian destinations, Osipova named sightseeing routes in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as the Vologda region, associated with the image of Father Frost, and Kostroma with the residence of the Snow Maiden. She noted that tourists who postpone booking sometimes cannot get into the hotels they want or visit popular sightseeing sites.

Foreign destinations and concerns about flights

Abroad, according to the expert, destinations with visa-free entry or direct air links with Russia are in demand: China, Vietnam, Thailand, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Cuba, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Georgia and the Maldives. Some travelers fear flight cancellations and delays, but in Osipova's assessment, air travel is working fairly steadily overall, and demand and the number of bookings will grow as the holidays approach.

Advice not to wait for 'last-minute' deals

Earlier, Russians were already advised not to count on 'last-minute' travel deals before the New Year — that recommendation appeared in a Gazeta.Ru publication a few days before Osipova's comment. Both reports agree on one thing: late booking this season offers no price advantages, and the risk of not finding a suitable option grows closer to the holidays.