Portugal: Easy to Forecast

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   On the background of tough competition on the mass-market destinations, Portugal appears to be an island of stability. A BANKO correspondent interviewed travel companies that specialize in tours to Portugal and found out that the destination has been marked with the stability for the last five years. The demand increased considerably only when the European Football Championship was held in the country. The stability of the destination is proved by air traffic volume that has not changed since than. At the beginning of June a charter flight to Faro by Transaero will be added to a scheduled flight to Lisbon by Kras Air. Besides, an additional flight to Lisbon will fly on Tuesdays starting from July 9th.
   Meanwhile, Russian travel companies explain the low demand for Portugal by the following factors: shortage of promotion campaigns initiated by Portugal, cold ocean coast for beach holidays and high cost of flights and tour packages.
    Thus, Maria Vlasova, General Director Deputy of Alto Sol, pointed out: ‘in 2006 a cost of flight to Portugal will increase by around 20%. A flight to Lisbon will cost approximately $450, while a flight to Faro – 365 Euro. Therefore, we do not expect increase in demand, forecasting August and September to be peak months. However, alliance of Alto Sol and Valtex Travel let us hope for the increase of tourist flow o Portugal’.
    Furthermore, Natalia Zhitnukhina, General Director of Interunion, said: ‘Portugal is not a mass-market destination. Therefore, there will be enough flights not to provoke either shortage of flights or dumping prices. The supply meets the demand. Nevertheless, additional flights will allow us to prepare more various tours combining beach holidays and excursions, that might become very popular in future’.