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Almost a quarter of a million Russians went on vacation to Tunisia last year

08:07, 21 января 2013

Last year, the tourist flow from Russia to Tunisia increased by almost 40% reaching 250 thousand people. It was announced at a press conference by the Ambassador of Tunisia in Russia Mr. Ali Gutali.

 

Deputy Head of the Department for exotic destinations of Russian Express Company Svetlana Katanaeva confirmed to RATA-news that the previous season her company had about 50% increase of tourist flow year-on-year. At the same time in 2011 peak bookings accrued to July – August, and this year expanded from the end of May to the beginning of September. “It’s obvious that the Russians no more worry about the safety in the country after revolutionary events of January 2011. Besides, there’s a transportation surplus on the destination, that’s why tours to Tunisia recently have been sold at prices below cost”, - said Ms. Katanaeva.

 

Last year national carriers Nouveliar and Tunisair resumed their flights, and Transaero has increased the number of flights. All in all experts don't consider the past season successful as the tourist flow grew only due to budget tours. Yet it’s hard to say what the current season will bring. A lot will depend on how the air companies will perform, as the season will work out only if the transportation is well-balanced. However, as Svetlana Katanaeva noted, Russian carriers love to fight for being a leader on the destination, and the surplus of flights leads to damping. High season in Tunisia starts in summer, that’s why the number of boards on the destination will be clarified in mid of February.

 

For the same reason the Head of the Tunisian destination of Vand International Tour Company Nina Lutfalla doesn’t judge the prospects of the upcoming Tunisia's summer. “It’s hard to comment on the market without information on the flights, but judging by the number of departure in the previous year – tourist flow to Tunisia really has grown”, - she noted.

 

ICS Travel Group Company confirms embassy’s appraisal of tourist flow from our country. According to the Head of Tunisian department Natalia Margolina, the increase amounted to 40% if compared to 2011. Ms. Margolina noted that for two years after the political changes in Tunisia tours to the country were sold for low prices which could be seen clearly last year: “On one hand, there was damping due to sagging demand, on the other hand – due to some tourists’ fear that yet it’s not safe to travel there”. Our interlocutor is sure that’s the reason why our compatriots believed tours to Tunisia should have been bought at last minute sales; carriage surplus played into the hands. “It’s obvious that there was an increase of tourist flow only because of price wars between tour operators; as a result mostly low budget tourists went to Tunisian beaches, - explained Ms. Margolina. – Moreover, better-off people were waiting for hotel prices-cutting. That’s why 4* were filled first, and then went the 5* but not the 3* as someone could have expected”. The expert believes that this year, if we judge by the performances declared – and not all companies declared their plans, – damping wars will continue and the year for Tunisia will be as uneasy as the previous one.

 

The Head of Grand Express Company Kira Andryushenkova notes the growth of tourists on Tunisian destination by 30% as in 2011 so in 2012. She believes the tourist extent has almost recovered and is almost equal to the prerevolutionary one. The prices have grown as well. “Two years ago there were a lot of special offers from hotels, in the past season there were less of them, but for the current year hoteliers have increased contract prices as they have a lot of requests from European partners”, - explained Ms. Andryushenkova. However, she added, now and till the end of February one can buy a tour to Tunisia on the shares of early booking for $500 with accommodation in a good 3* hotel at HB: “If requested one can get the all-inclusive system for only $50 per week”. The Company successfully fills the seats of their own charter flights on Nouveliar planes; since last year it has resumed flights to Djerba Island from Moscow and St. Petersburg which were forcedly cancelled in 2011. 

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