Sochi Holiday Prices Rise Amid Shifts in Crimea Travel Demand
Prices for vacations in Sochi climbed by about 20 to 30 percent year over year, following a noticeable dip in interest in Crimea. This assessment comes from Alexan Mkrtchyan, the vice president of the Russian Association of Travel Agencies (ATA), who spoke to News newspaper about the trend.
Mkrtchyan explained that bookings for Crimea tours have fallen to roughly half of what they were in 2022. He cited several factors behind this shift: the Simferopol airport has remained unavailable since February 2022, driving travel bottlenecks at the Crimean bridge for road traffic, and a limited train schedule. He predicts that the region will see a reduction in visitor numbers by three to four million by the season’s end, due to these access issues.
According to the expert, limited transport access to Crimea has a knock-on effect on the pricing of holidays in Sochi. In 2022, prices rose by about 40 percent, with a further 20–30 percent increase expected in the current year. Mkrtchyan pointed out that the price surge is most pronounced in four- and five-star accommodations, while rates in three-star properties remain comparatively stable.
He also highlighted that a ten-day vacation for two people, including three meals daily at a four-star hotel in Sochi, could reach around 220,000 rubles. He added that the same amount could fund a vacation for a Russian citizen in Turkey or Egypt, reflecting cross-border price dynamics and regional demand shifts.
The Alliance of Russian Travel Agencies (ARTA) also reported a roughly 10 percent increase in vacation prices in Anapa, signaling broader price adjustments across popular Black Sea destinations.
Earlier reports noted that Russians continue to seek excursions during May holidays, with Petersburg and Sochi emerging as favored destinations for short trips and cultural exploration.