[IMG=20207-5982]According to the survey carried out by a BANKO correspondent, Ekaterinburg did not become an exclusion from the tendency of season 2006 – the region is experiencing drop in demand for the Turkish destination. Olga Sverchkova, Vice President of the Fund of the World Travel Company, commented on the situation: 'we are concerned about the low demand for Turkey. There are practically no requests for Bodrum and Dalaman. We even had to reduce air traffic volume to the destination. Starting from July 9th one of the flights will be canceled’. ‘at the moment there is excess of flights to Turkey. Last year the situation was different. However, after cancellation of one flight the situation in the market might change’, said Natalia Suruk, Director of Vokrug Sveta 2000 Travel Company.
Meanwhile, the current excess of flights to Turkey affected the prices for tour packages tio the destination. ‘Tours are sold for 300$ with the ticket cost being 400$’, said Svechkova. ‘There are offers for 250$ - a week in a 3*, while there are no tickets cheaper than $380–400’, added Suruk.
Furthermore, some experts believe the situation with Turkey will stabilize soon: ‘traditionally the second half of June is marked with excess of flights owing entrance exams’, commented Vladimir Tashirov, Director of Tourenergoservice in Ekaterinburg.
Meanwhile, other outcoming destinations are in demand in the Ekaterinburg market. ‘Unlike Turkey, we have good sales depth for Croatia, Spain, Egypt’, said Tashirov. He also explained the current excess of flights to Turkey by the tough competition: ‘Operators from Perm, Chelyabinsk and Tyumen added ther flight to the destination. Besides, large Moscow and St. Petersburg operators have entered the market’.
