As per the data of the National StatisticsInstitute, in 2012, Portugal
welcomed 7.7 million foreign tourists, which is 54% more compared to 2011. The Russian
market reports a slightly more moderate growth of 3-15%. This year is expected to
be almost the same. Limited capacity of direct transportation is what stands in
the way of further development of the tourist flow, deem some of the experts. This
season, the flag-carrying airline TAP Portugal
offers five weekly services to Russia.
A number of tour operators hold blocks of seats on another four flights a week operated
by Transaero Airlines.
Tour operators note their clients' increasing
interest in early bookings for this year's high season. "Tourists mostly ask
for peak dates – August-September as well as first half of June", said the
business director at the Moscow
rep office of Portuguese company Alto Sol Ms. Elena Gourkova. As another peak period,
she mentions May holidays that are going to be quite lengthy this year, much to
travel industry's delight. A similar picture of early sales was drawn by the deputy
tourism director of Vand International Tour Ms. Liudmila Ozik. In her opinion, loyal
policy by the destination's hotels is what keeps the demand alive. Unlike airfares
that have gone some 5% up, hotel rates have hardly changed since last season.
Ms. Elena Mirolyubova, who is in charge
of the destination at Quinta Tour, reminds that Portugal has always been known as a
great place for both beach leisure and sightseeing. By March, she says, the interest
in sightseeing itineraries usually heightens. Besides, there is a year-round demand
for beach vacations on Madeira. Speaking of the
summer season pre-sales, the expert exercises certain caution. "As a rule,
early booking promotions are not too telling with Portugal. These special offers usually
come from deluxe hotels, while most Russian tourists prefer four-star accommodation
in Portugal",
explains the Quinta Tour's spokesperson.
The destination manager at the Russian
Express company Ms. Nadezhda Khvatova expects Madeira
to become a hit of the upcoming summer. In the heat of the season, an average package
to the island will stand in around €1,100 per person. Portugal's second most popular destination will be
the Algarve
region, the specialist believes.
