[IMG=19079-4723]
In February demand for Thailand balanced with air traffic volume to the country. Tour operators interviewed by A BANKO correspondent on February 14th pointed out a good sales depth. You may recall from earlier bulletins that in December and January the destination was marked with the excess of special offers following record air traffic volume.
Some experts believe that the situation improved due to the termination of Sibir flights to Bangkok. Besides, other experts explain the current improvement by the interest in Thailand after the New Year period. ‘Comparing to the last season the before-New-Year demand increased at 10%, while the demand for after New Year period increased at 33%’, said Tatiana Chuvilkina, General Director Deputy of Natalie Tours. Moreover, high prices for Thailand in December in January could prevent potential tourist from traveling and at the moment tour operators reap the fruits of the ‘postponed’ demand.
As a result representatives of incoming companies in Thailand say that at present Russian companies book tours for March and April. ‘We are fully booked for February’, said Director of Thai Travel Company Ivan Susanin Co., Ltd, Nikolai Salikhov. Considering the increased demand, Transaero decided to prolong the charter program to Thailand, initially planed until March 8th. Furthermore, operators forecast high demand for the destination until May Holidays.
In the current situation Russian travel companies point out the price stability of the destination. ‘Hoteliers in Thailand keep the prices at the level of two years ago’, said Tatiana Vand, Director of Vand International Tour. Meanwhile, incoming companies refer to the increase in price for in-country transfers. ‘At the moment transfers are approximately 20% more expensive due to the increased fuel prices’, explained Svetlana Kirilenko, General Director of Talisman Travel. Nevertheless, experts believe that this fact does not affect prices for tour packages.
