[IMG=21296-7153]According to tour operators that specialize in the Egyptian market, starting from the middle of October tour operators have to reduce air traffic volume to the destination. For example, instead of four charter flights per week from Ekatereinburg only three will be operated.
Furthermore, experts say that Coral Travel cancelled a flight on October 14th, while ICS did not operate its flight on October 21st. On the one hand, the current changes within charter plans were provoked by booming European markets, German in particular. Allegedly, after the failed Turkish season in Germany, the demand for Egypt in Europe increased that stimulated western tour operators, including TUI, to book accommodation in the Egyptian resorts. According to some information, even Mostravel, a partner of TUI, had to reduce its flights on the route.
However, Mostravel representatives did not confirm the information. Rabson Mamedov, General Director of Mostravel, commented: ‘we have increased air traffic volume to Egypt by around 50%’.
On the other hand, experts say that Egypt at the moment experiences not only increase in the European tourist flow. Muslim religious holidays engendered tourist flow to the country’s resorts from other Muslim countries and Egypt itself. As a result, Russian companies have to compete with European, Muslim countries and Egypt itself in the Egyptian market, said Anna Podgornaya, Sales Director of Pegas Touristik. The current competition makes it difficult for Russian tour operators to receive booking confirmations; consequently planned charter expenses partly become unreasonable.
At present travel market players can not forecast the further development of the situation. However, Svetlana Golubichnaya, Head of Egyptian Department of ICS Travel Group, believes that ‘in November the situation will become even more problematic’.