Tour operators report 20–25% decline in Russian sanatorium bookings

Bookings for health resort holidays at Russian tour operator Delfin have fallen 20–25% year on year, chief executive and Russian Union of Travel Industry board member Sergei Romashkin said. On October 16, the union linked weaker demand to prices and transport difficulties.

Romashkin described the decline as a broader market trend affecting the Caucasian Mineral Waters resorts as well. Treatment holidays are generally booked 45–60 days ahead, making demand less spontaneous than for ski breaks, he said.

Alean deputy chief executive Oksana Bulakh said sales remained below last year's level, although bookings for January holidays in the Caucasian Mineral Waters area picked up in October. The company expects peak demand between the second half of October and mid-November.

Figures cited by the union put average annual health resort price increases at 8–10%, driven mainly by premium properties. More affordable resorts raised prices 4–5%. Operators cited wages, food and medical services among rising costs.

Romashkin estimated New Year stays at 6,000–6,500 roubles per person per day. Typical programmes lasting 10–12 days cost from 65,000 roubles without travel and around 100,000 with transport, excluding a banquet, he said. About 80% of arrivals in this segment come in early January.

Rosyugkurort head Valery Sychyov reported an occupancy decline of at least 40% at Sochi health properties. He identified high prices as the main factor alongside irregular transport and safety concerns.

Sychyov said demand remained for accommodation costing below 3,000 roubles or around 4,500 per person per day. Offers above 5,800 roubles were attracting very few bookings, he said, prompting some resorts and hotels to cut prices.