Market News

Latin America Booming

While Aeroflot increased its flights to Cuba and Transaero to the Dominican Republic, there will also be direct flights to Cancun in Mexico. The consolidators of the new charter programs are two leading Moscow-based tour operators Youzhny Krest (Southern Cross) and Transaero Tours. According to Tez Tour, Mexico will face a serious competition from Cuba and the Dominican Republic, as Tez Tour has seen demand for these destinations increase by 20% and 35% respectively compared to last year. Lanta Tour Voyage and Megapolus Tours, which also sell the Caribbean have also noted a big increase in demand.

 

More Flights to Bali and Vietnam

Due to the high summer demand for Bali during the summer of 2009, Transaero will increase the no. of direct regular flights from Moscow to Denpasar to up to 3 per week. Singapore Airlines will also offer 5 flights per week to Bali instead of 4. Tour operators selling Bali noted that due the quantity of special offers for deluxe properties, this year Bali was in demand by the middle class segment than previously, as the price reductions have made it more affordable.

Transaero will offer more flights from Moscow to Vietnam, which is steadily growing in popularity, other carriers to Vietnam are Vietnam Airlines and Aeroflot, but some experts are concerned that the hotel base in Vietnam is limited and may not match the volume increase. Vietnam is popular due to its good value for money, good quality hotels, great sightseeing opportunities and low cost ground handling costs.