Did ‘Caricature Scandal’ Affect the Demand?

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   Travel market players divide opinion regarding riots in Syria and Lebanon last weekend. According to Georgyi Leontiev, Sales and Marketing Director of Collage Service, at the moment there is a drop in demand for the destinations. Those tourists who have booked tours worry about the possible development of events.
   However, tour operators specializing in the UAE and Egypt – most popular Arabic destinations among Russian tourists – have not noticed the changes in tourist flow.
   Such travel companies as Art-tour and Paks point out a minimum possibility of riots and protest actions in the UAE. The country has a reputation of one of the most stable regions therefore tourists traveling to the Emirates are not concerned about safety.
   However, Marina Veryatina, General Director Deputy of Turkey and Egypt Department of Capital Tour, pointed out that people are concerned about the Egypt Ferry Disaster. Capital Tour even registered slight decline in demand for Safaga hotels. Nevertheless, Veryatina believes, the situation will stabilize soon.
   On the other hand, Tourenergoservice and ICS Travel Group do not see any connection between the ferry disaster and the decline in demand explaining it by seasonal factors.