Executive Director of ATOR Lomidze: 40% of Russians plan to travel abroad for the New Year 
Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) Maya Lomidze told about the desire of Russians to relax on the New Year and their willingness to buy tours for the holidays. Her phrases are quoted by the radio station “Echo of Moscow”.
“We have about 40 percent of consumers, as they say, in the coffin saw all the recommendations. They say: “We take a risk. We want, buy and go. Well, we won't go, so we will postpone the trip,” the specialist described and added that about the same number of people “slowed down” when booking vouchers for the winter holidays. p>
Lomidze noted that several hundred thousand domestic travelers are planning to go abroad this winter this year. “Egypt is the undisputed leader here, and I think that at least 100 thousand [Russians] will have to go to this country alone,” the expert said.
Lomidze advised domestic tourists planning a trip abroad to purchase a travel cancellation policy. however, she recalled that such a document does not include compensation in the event of border closures or restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus.
“There are always more [people] on the domestic market than going abroad, even on New Years, because that the country is big, and in aggregate we have more tourists inside the country, “explained the executive director of ATOR and noted that the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory and Crimea are the most popular for winter holidays.
Earlier in December, the Russians said, what they will do on non-working days from December 31 to January 9. Thus, the majority of the study participants (27 percent) admitted that they plan to go to their relatives or friends for the winter holidays. The share of those who want to travel to one of the European cities was 16 percent.