Winter Tour Prices in Russia and Abroad Set to Rise this Season
Major tour operators and the Russian Travel Industry Association report that international winter tours are likely to cost more this year, with price increases ranging from about 10% to 30% compared with last year. Popular destinations such as Egypt, Dubai, Thailand, the Maldives, and Cuba are expected to see higher package prices. Contributing factors include stronger currencies, higher transportation costs, and increased hotel rates. Some hotels in Thailand have already signaled a 20% price uptick. The news wire notes that price pressures are mounting across the travel market.
Russian tour operators are planning to raise winter tour prices in October and November by as much as 30% compared with the prior season. The same trend is anticipated for vacations to Egypt, Dubai, Thailand, the Maldives, and Cuba. The Russian Travel Industry Association reports an average winter holiday price increase of around 15% across these markets.
Overall pricing will hinge on exchange rates and the availability of air travel. The steepest increases are anticipated for New Year’s travel and other peak holiday periods, with a rise of 15% or more. According to the association’s vice president, Yury Barzykin, a similar pattern is expected in the domestic market—placement costs within Russia are projected to climb by about 15% as the holidays approach.
Intourist, a leading tour operator, has noted that winter tour prices to favored destinations will average a 25% to 30% rise. Price growth will begin in November for Thailand and Sri Lanka, and in October for the United Arab Emirates, the Maldives, Seychelles, and Cuba. In October, tours to the UAE, Egypt, the Maldives, and Cuba are already about 30% higher than in September.
Hotels in the Maldives are anticipated to raise accommodation costs by 20% to 25% during the winter season. In Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat, flight prices may be 20% to 30% lower for transfer options than for direct flights, which could offer more affordable travel routes. Hotels in Seychelles are expected to see around a 20% price increase, with similar adjustments anticipated in Egypt and Thailand.
The overall rise in holiday costs is connected to higher hotel rates and increased accommodation expenses, particularly on Phuket in Thailand, where prices are projected to grow by about 25%. Since hotel charges are usually settled in foreign currencies, fluctuations in exchange rates also impact the final pricing for travelers.
In light of these shifts, travelers are advised to compare options across operators, consider flexible travel dates, and monitor exchange rates to anticipate how much a given winter trip might cost. Industry observers emphasize planning ahead and securing bookings as early as feasible to lock in more favorable rates while acknowledging that some destinations may still offer value through bundled deals and carefully timed promotions.