ATOR: Greece Among Top 10 Best-selling Autumn Destinations for Russians

According to TUI Russia, the top 10 countries preferred by Russian travelers this autumn have a long swimming season and are visa-free destinations or have a simplified visa regime. Photo: GTP

Greece is among the 10 most best-selling destinations of Russian travelers that are planning a trip abroad this autumn, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

Citing data from bookings made through leading Russian tour operators, ATOR announced that the top destinations of the Russians for September and the first half of October, are: Turkey, Tunisia, Cyprus, Russia, Spain, Greece, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam and Thailand.

According to TUI Russia, the top 10 countries are characterized by a long swimming season, are visa-free or have a simplified visa regime.

Referring to the increased sales for Spain, Italy and Greece, tour operator ICS Travel Group said that the Russians are opting for the countries as they offer a wide range of leisure activities, including countless beaches, sightseeing tours, gastronomy trips, active family entertainment and adventure tourism options.

In addition, the hotels in these countries have began announcing lower prices for foreign tourists, ATOR noted.

In Greece, for example, Biblio-Globus is offering one-week stays from 20,300 rubles (around 257 euros) per person and TUI Russia has launched a travel package for Crete this month from 27,500 rubles (around 348 euros) per person (meals not included). Also, ICS Travel Group is selling sightseeing trips in Greece for two from 67,000 rubles (around 850 euros).

In regards to Turkey, the top destination for the Russians this autumn, the data of Russian tour operators show that the country is making a major comeback. ATOR said that Turkey is preferred over its competitors due to “a unique combination of almost all positive factors for the Russian tourist”: visa-free regime, short flight, long season, two coasts, a wide choice of three-, four- and five-star hotels for any budget and all-inclusive resorts.

Tour operator Biblio-Globus said that the demand for autumn tours in Turkey is already 74 percent higher than the same period last year, with bookings made until November 2018.