MINSK, 19 July (BelTA) - Sale of package tours to Turkey and Egypt has declined almost by half this year, Natalia Yeliseyeva, deputy director – head of the planning office of the tourism department at the Belarusian Sport and Tourism Ministry, told media on 19 July, BelTA has learned.
Resorts in Turkey, which has been one of the most popular destinations among Belarusians in recent years, are now going through tough times. The situation in Egypt and Turkey is not calm. Plus there was Russia's ban on travel to those countries. All these affected the choice of Belarusians holidaymakers. In 2016 we saw a strong decline in sales of tours to both countries – by about 50%. In this connection, the air companies reviewed their flight programs and cut the number of flights. Turkish carriers and hoteliers are trying to influence the situation, offering significant discounts. Belarusian travel companies also offer lower prices for tours by cutting their profit, Natalia Yeliseyeva informed.
“Now Russia is number one holiday spot for Belarusians. Turkey has moved into the second position,” Natalia Yeliseyeva noted.
Montenegro, Spain and Georgia are among the destinations popular among the Belarusians. With regard to Bulgaria, another popular holiday spot, sale of tours to this country increased only in the middle of spring. This is due to the fact that, given the situation in Egypt and Turkey, Belarusians were waiting for the decrease in prices while Europeans were actively booking Bulgarian resorts. However, a certain share of people who used to vacation in Egypt and Turkey will go to Bulgaria. Thus, Bulgaria can become the leading destination for beach holiday among Belarusians this year.
Greece and Cyprus are also popular. On the Baltic Sea Palanga and Jurmala will become the main tourist centers this season, Natalia Yeliseyeva noted.
