SUSPENSION OF FLIGHTS TO TURKEY AND TANZANIA MAY WRECK THE BUSINESS OF TRAVEL COMPANIES

Recently, the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) published resonant information about the restriction of air traffic between Russia, Turkey and Tanzania. The press service of the RUTI made it clear that the decision of the authorities could become a "control shot" for individual tour operators who may face the risk of going broke or go bankrupt because of this.

We should recall that the Russian authorities explained their decision by the catastrophically increased number of cases of coronavirus infection in these countries. From April 15, the measures will affect both charter and regular flights.

The restrictions will last until June 1.

According to experts, about 500 thousand Russian citizens purchased tourist tickets for this period. The total cost of tour packages, according to the Association of Tour Operators (ATOR), amounted to 32 billion rubles. About 6 thousand tourists planned to go to exotic Tanzania. Now, experts say, many residents of the country will lose the opportunity to have a rest, and tour operators are threatened with the loss of profits.

Whether in such a situation any additional subsidies will be allocated for those tour operators who will take their clients out of Tanzania and Turkey is still unknown. The head of the Federal Tourism Agency Zarina Doguzova noted that measures have been developed to minimize the risks of ruin. It is possible that contingency fund fees will be canceled. In addition, a deferral will be granted for a number of contributions that tour operators pay to personal funds

Now experts express doubts that tour operators will be able to replace flights purchased for outbound tourism destinations.

Turkey and Tanzania were previously open to visitors with almost no restrictions. It will be difficult to replace them with other alternatives, among which resorts of Crimea appear most often. Experts recommend tourists to rebook flights for later dates.