Untypical Low Demand For Egyptian Tour Packages

[IMG=20535-6268]July was marked with the sales slowdown in the Egyptian destination. Moreover, travel market experts point out, a great number of special offers overwhelmed all typical summer destinations. The demand for tours to the Red Sea resorts dropped at the end of June and, according to tour operators the process has been progressing despite the reduction of air traffic volume to Egypt. Thus, Svetalna Golubnichanya, the Head of the Egyptian Department of ICS Travel Group, said: ‘for example, a 7-day tour to Hurgada with accommodation in a 3* hotel with a flight on July 22nd cost $140-160, while the block price of air tickets is $290–300’. She doubts that the situation will stabilize soon and believes the demand will not increase until the beginning of August. ‘At the end of July 2005 there was also a sales slow down for tours to Egypt. But last year it was provoked by terrorist acts in Sharm – el – Sheikh. Now nothing has happened but we have the situation of low demand similar to last year’, said the expert. Furthermore, Mikhail Ioffe, the Head of the Egyptian Department of TourEnergoService, said: ‘the demand is lower than usual. But I think it is typical for all destinations. There might be increase in demand at the end of the month’. Meanwhile, the majority of tour operators bank on August when many Russians are on leave and therefore, as a rule, book long-duration tours. If tour duration exceeds 10-11 days the price for tour packages to Egypt becomes competitive. Gennady Kosarev, General Director of Fresh Travel, explained: ‘Comparing to Turkey a flight to Egypt is around 40% more expensive. But an average 5* hotels costs $50-70 per night, while in Turkey it is a price for 4* accommodation. Therefore, two weeks in Egypt cost 25% cheaper than the same period in Turkey’.