Plus twenty five

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   The past summer season proved to be unsuccessful for companies operating on the St. Petersburg inbound tourism market: According to experts, the number of tourists who came to the northern capital was at least 20% less than in 2004. However, most companies had anticipated an overall reduction in the tourist flow to the city on Neva. Tour operators believe that the main reason for such results is high price for a tour package in general and for hotel accommodation in particular. ‘Officials regularly report on hotel space expansion, but at the moment the city predominantly builds expensive hotels, while foreign tourists prefer 3 stars,’ says Elena Krashenkova, Deputy General Director of ‘Mir’ Company.
   In addition, experts point out that hotels of all star categories in the city have raised their prices. Price increase ranges from 5% to 30%. Today, one day in a double room in a three-star hotel in St. Petersburg would cost EUR 185. ‘And from January the utilities cost is likely to increase by 25%,’ says Marina Maslenok, Director of travel company ‘Aval’. ‘This means that hotel prices will rise again.’
   Among other reasons of deterioration in demand mentioned by tour operators were difficulties in obtaining visas for foreigners and inadequate measures taken to ensure security of tourists in St. Petersburg. In addition, there is a significant difference in the prices of museum and theatre tickets for Russians and foreigners, which holds off foreign guests.