Federal Media Review

The current travel market situation in connection with the coronavirus outbreak in China was commented by Dmitry Gorin live to Mir 24 channel. "Since January 24, in accordance with the recommendations of the Federal Tourism Agency, we have suspended the sale of tours. From January 26, we can already say with confidence that by February 4, all organized groups will have returned to Russia. Also from January 27, we will not accept organized groups of Chinese tourists. All business travelers and independent travelers coming with non-cancelled regular flights, will be thoroughly checked in the airports”, said the expert. (More from 1:55 min.)

Meanwhile, Russian travel operators intend to come up with a proposal by the Federal Air Transport Agency to adjust the charter flight program for March 2020 and to readjust the freed plains that were involved in transportation to Chinese Hainan, to Cuba, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Thailand. Dmitry Gorin told this to RIA Novosti. (More) 

Egyptian resorts can be opened for Russian tourists in April. According to Interfax, Russian security experts checked airports from January 19 to 23, and it was decided to start the procedure for resuming flights. Nevertheless, travel agencies are in no hurry to organize charter programs. “Charters should probably be restored gradually. Maybe it will be regular flights, initially. Well, in any case, we are waiting for relevant information, because there is no confirmation yet. Of course, it is important for travel agencies to understand that there is such permission - there must be a corresponding presidential decree on the resumption of direct flights between the cities of Russia and Egypt. And only after that can travel companies develop charter or regular flight programs. And start sales,” said Dmitry Gorin to NNS. (Read more)

Starting February 2, 2020, the updated EU visa code comes into force. From now on, the Russians will be able to apply for Schengen six months before the trip and no later than 15 days in advance. Tourists with a good visa history will more often be issued long-term multivisas. Dmitry Gorin believes that the earlier application opportunity will simplify the task for tourists and help avoid excessive fuss in the high season. “The most difficult thing for Schengen application is peak loads before the May holidays and summer. Now, if you plan your trip in advance, making a visa will be much easier. As for urgent trips, you still need to know the rules and submit documents in advance. The rules have just come into force and there will probably be further clarifications. We believe that applicants with a good visa history will have no problems,” he said. (Read more)

The Croatian National Tourism Office in Russia for the first time launched a large-scale project for tourism professionals “Croatian Tourism Days in the Russian Federation”, dedicated to business contacts between Croatian and Russian companies and presentations of Croatian tourism opportunities in 2020 in Moscow and other Russian cities. The first event of the project was held in the old halls of the Moscow “House of Smirnov” with a panel discussion “New trends in tourism and potential of Croatian tourism in Russia”. It was attended by the head of the Russian representative office of the Croatian tourist community Raiko Ruzicka, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia Gary Kappelli, adviser to the head of the Federal Tourism Agency Dmitry Gorin, deputy head of the Federal Tourism Agency Sergey Korneev and others. (More here)