A ten-day trip without aircraft travel can set you back approximately 344,000 rubles for two individuals.
Sochi Sanatorium Vacations: A Costly yet Popular Destination
Sochi, Russia's popular resort city, is known for its picturesque landscapes and luxurious sanatoriums. However, recent trends and economic factors have made it a costly destination for many tourists.
According to the Association of Tour Operators, the current trend is for tourists to book tours as close to the travel date as possible due to disruptions in air communication. This approach is likely a response to the unpredictability in air travel, making last-minute bookings a safer option.
Despite the high costs, Sochi remains a popular destination, especially for residents of Moscow, Krasnodar, and St. Petersburg. Analysts have reported that these cities' residents vacation in Sochi more frequently than other Russians.
The cost of a sanatorium vacation in Sochi varies based on the daily rate per person, which depends on the sanatorium, room category, and medical program chosen. For instance, at RZD-Health sanatoriums, prices are dynamic and influenced by occupancy and chosen programs, with accommodation, meals, medical services, and amenities included in the daily voucher price.
A 10-day voucher (excluding travel) for two in budget health resorts costs 90-150 thousand rubles, while mid-range sanatoriums range from 150-200 thousand rubles. High-end health resorts can cost up to 220-250 thousand rubles for a 10-day voucher.
However, the most expensive sanatorium, the "Chernomorie 5*", costs 344 thousand rubles for two without flights. This makes Sochi the most expensive summer vacation destination based on daily pocket expenses, as reported by Yuga.ru in July.
Despite the high costs, the Association of Tour Operators claims that the demand for sanatorium holidays in Sochi has slowed down due to the high cost of air and rail tickets. This is further supported by the availability of free rooms in most sanatoriums, with only 30% of the room fund of the resort's health resorts being sold.
The slowdown in demand is also confirmed by the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, which reported a 15-20% increase in the cost of staying in Sochi's sanatoriums.
Despite the challenges, some sanatoriums, such as the "Actor", "Metallurg", Frunze, "Yuzhnoe Vzmorie", and "Magadan", have free rooms available for the upcoming "velvet season" in Sochi. These sanatoriums offer a more affordable option for tourists seeking a Sochi vacation.
In conclusion, while Sochi remains a popular destination, its high costs have led to a slowdown in demand. However, for those willing to book last-minute and seek more affordable options, there are free rooms available in some popular sanatoriums.
- The costly nature of Sochi sanatorium vacations, despite being a popular destination, might be impacting the finance of some tourists, possibly influencing their lifestyle choices for vacation.
- For those interested in home-and-garden and travel pursuits, budget-friendly options such as the "Actor", "Metallurg", Frunze, "Yuzhnoe Vzmorie", and "Magadan" sanatoriums in Sochi might prove beneficial during the upcoming velvet season.
- The travel industry continues to adjust due to economic factors, with tourists increasingly opting for last-minute bookings as a response to the uncertainties in air travel, altering their lifestyle choices accordingly.
