Kazan: the Region is not Ready For Exotic Destionations

[IMG=21003-6833]In the coming season air traffic volume to Egypt from Kazan will increase. Thus, Moscow tour operator Pegas Touristik plans to operate flights to Hurgada by Il-86 starting from Septenber 30th. Besides, Tatarstan Airlines will fly to the destination twice a week. Moreover, Pegas Touristik will consolidate three flights per week to Sharm-el-Sheikh. Anna Podgornaya, sales Director of Pegas Touristik, commented on the increase of flights from Kazan as follows: ‘Kazan market volume allows increasing air traffic volume to Egypt. The destination is promoted in the region as a mass-market one, travel agents know the product. Therefore, we hope our charter programs will be a success’. Meanwhile, Kazan travel market experts point out that Egypt is also popular in Kazan as there is not a big choice of winter beach destinations. Beside charters to Egypt charters to the UAE consolidated by Intourcenter are traditionally launched – (once in ten days, TU-154, Tatarstan Airlines). However, tour packages to the Emirates are more expensive and thus, fewer tourists from Kazan can afford them. Marcel Musin, Director of Intoucenter, said: ‘in previous seasons in order to run a flight to the UAE at its full capacity we had to fly through Samara. However, this scheme is not possible in this season. At the moment we are negotiating with CAPITAL TOUR and Lanta-tour voyage regarding blocks on the flights to the Emirates’. Furthermore, Kazan travel market players plan to extend the winter assortment for their clients. Experts emphasize it will not happen soon. The situation is the same as with charter to the UAE. There are few strong tour operators in the region, while Moscow companies prefer not to risk – exotic destinations are expensive and might not be in demand in the market. A flight to Sri-Lanka from Kazan will be operated by IL-86, while other flights will need to have an additional stop that will increase a cost of tour packages. Representatives of Kazan-intour said: ‘at first it is necessary to popularize this or that winter destination that is possible to do only with Moscow or Tashkent flights. Only after such a promotion it will be reasonable to organize direct flights’.