Checkpoints at the entrance to Sevastopol to check QR codes, the extension of non-working days in the Novgorod region – these and other restrictions on COVID-19 force tourists to refuse to travel in Russia. People are massively canceling vouchers bought for the long November weekend. This was reported by the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).
Not only Russians, but also foreign guests refuse to travel around the country. According to market participants, foreigners are not allowed into the main museums due to the lack of registration for public services. According to ATOR, due to the cancellation of a quarter of domestic tours, the profit lost by Russian operators amounted to about 2 billion rubles.
Tourists have canceled 25% of tours in Russia booked for non-working days. The main reason for the cancellation of the tours was the restrictive measures introduced in the regions from the end of October to November 7, the ATOR reported. The Association also said that foreign tour operators massively cancel or transfer tours to our country with arrivals for the coming dates.
How are they doing these days, we decided to ask the tour operators themselves.
“There are cancellations, but they are few, however, as well as the bookings themselves,” says Julia, a tour operator from St. Petersburg. According to her, foreign tourists have just begun to return to Russia, but now, due to the next wave of restrictions, one cannot count on mass demand.
– Why do travelers from abroad refuse to travel in Russia?
– People simply do not understand what will happen next, but if earlier they tried to postpone the dates, now there is a tendency towards cancellations in general.
– And you return the money spent to your clients?
– We are forced to return the money, since the final foreign client, who has taken root and complies with all the norms and requirements, is not to blame for the fact that he does not have access to the website of state services. The vaccine does not play a decisive role here. Even for foreigners vaccinated with Sputnik, access to the Hermitage, for example, is closed precisely because of the lack of an account on public services.
According to Yulia, in connection with a new wave of restrictions, another wave of decline in tourist flow and cancellations or, at best, endless travel postponements for an indefinite period is expected in the near future.
“Neither restaurants, nor museums can give a clear answer on how a foreigner can get to them. Therefore, we cannot offer clients a clearly scheduled tour with visits to specific museums and meals at specific restaurants, says the tour operator. – Again, it is difficult to say whether the restrictions will be lifted from November 8 or not. At the moment, many museums are adamant and refuse to accept international vaccination certificates. “
Everything will depend on the heads of the regions, emphasizes Mikhail Kogan, head of the analytical research department of the Higher School of Financial Management. “In the overwhelming majority of cities, QR codes are already being introduced. But, judging by the situation, PCR tests or codes will be asked throughout the country when checking into hotels, hostels, hotels. Regions with the saddest morbidity statistics are likely to either prolong the lockdown or immediately introduce a QR system, so it is worth preparing for both a lighter scenario and a more severe one, ”he said. Of course, the severity of future measures and their timing will significantly affect the movement of tourist flows.
According to the head of the analytical department of Amarkets Artem Deev, the losses of the tourist business may still increase. But compared to last year, when the total losses of the tourism sector amounted to about 1.5 trillion rubles (domestic and inbound tourism), the current decline in operators’ revenues is not so serious – after all, we are talking about 8-10 days so far.
“The decision to extend non-working days will be taken by the regions independently and everything will depend on the situation with the morbidity. Probably, towards the end of the week it will be clear which regions will still be closed for visits, where the most stringent measures will be taken, and where the restrictions will not be extended, ”he summed up.
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