Krasnodar, 15 December. Our today’s interviewee is Khristofor Konstantinidi, Chairman of the State Duma’s Expert Council on Tourism, First Vice President of the National Hospitality Industry Union.
Q.: This year’s summer season in the Krasnodar region was held without COVID-19 restrictions. However, instead of masks and vaccinations, we faced such logistical difficulties as closed airports. What are the results of the season?
A.: Yes, it was not a simple season – it became quite a challenge for the [tourist] industry due to the increased load. This year, Russian resorts were receiving tourists who had not been travelling domestically for many years. Naturally, they demanded the service quality they had got used to abroad. Because of the closure of a string of international flights, the load on the premium segment increased significantly.
On the whole, the number of tourists even grew up compared with last year. What was the issue was their ability to pay which on the average decreased.
Q.: Will the restrictions laid on New Year celebrations affect the tourist flow this winter?
A.: Special events in fact do attract many tourists. However, Krasnodar Krai has many other interesting destinations, even without the festive concerts. Traditionally, Krasnaya Poliana is one of the most sought-after destinations for the New Year holidays. The thermal spas are also highly popular, though they are, as a rule, one-day destinations. The region’s spa and resort complex works round the year, thus it forms the tourist flow in the Kuban area. Besides, there is such an interesting format as winter beaches. They have already become popular in Sochi, and now they are being implemented in Anapa and Gelendzhik. People like to spend their time in the beach and breathe the sea air.
Q.: Last summer, the prices at the Kuban resorts tended to be growing. Were there any reasons for that growth?
A.: In principle, the prices are growing both in summer and in winter. While there is no competition with destinations abroad, the domestic demand will continue to grow, as the prices will do. I should say that price surges do not correspond to the adequate growth of the quality or assortment of services rendered. That is, we got an opportunity to develop domestic tourism in a short-term horizon, but the decline in competition will serve a dirty trick on the long run. It may lead to both rise of prices and decline in quality of the services.
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