CY, GR & ES benefit from TR drop of Russian arrivals

The Russian tourists are chosing Cyprus, Greece & Spain at the expense of TurkeyMoscow, 28.JUL.2012

• The Russian marhet which was traditionally prodcing some 2 million arrivals to Turkey these last years is showing a significant change this year in spite of visa free regime they commonly installed with the Russian Federation last year.
• The market is witnessing an increase of the tourist flow to Cyprus in first place, followed by Greece & Spain.
• According to the market main stakeholders the 12 to 15% average price increase in USD of the hotels & services in Turkey has made the Russian operators chose other destinations which can preserve their margins. 
• The drop of the EUR has played an important role as it makes Cyprus, Greece and Spain more competitive compare to Turkey as well. These destinations are definitely the great winners in terms of arrivals.
• Nonetheless, these increased tourist flow does not mean the Russian visitors are high revenue one and the result of the season will show how interesting it is for European destinations to welcome these visitors. For Greece and Spain, it is more a matter of getting revenue whatever they are and cashflow to provide the local industry with work as their economic situation is definitely in great need.
• However, it may prove that the Turks are not losing much at the end of the day. It has been noted that these last 2 years, the Turkish hospitality business has been definitely targetting the uspcale segments of the Russian markeet including all niches like golf, spa, wedding & honeymoon, short break, MICE...
• The Turks seems to have understood that the added value of upmarket visitors from Russian can bring more benefit to the destination than flocks of sunseakers coming  from and All Inclusive stay at 500USD a week.
•  NOTE: the Maroccan tourism authorities should carrefully consider this point, which is chasing for more Russian arrivals not caring about the quality of the visitors).

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