When will cruises on the rivers of Russia begin?
River tour operators are ready to start navigation in the third decade of June.
This is reported in a press release of the companies “River Alliance” – tour operators “Vodohod”, “Mosturflot”, “Constellation”.
“We are focusing on the end of June – the beginning of July,” says S. Goncharova, Deputy Director of Tourism of the tour operator Mosturflot. She noted that since the self-isolation regime in Moscow was extended until June 15, the company's cruises in the first decade of the month were canceled, and it takes time to prepare ships for the next dates.
Tour operators must comply with regulatory and supervisory authorities. Rospotrebnadzor and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation are preparing recommendations for the introduction of additional sanitary and epidemiological measures.
There are problems with the regional features of quarantine. In Volgograd, for example, self-isolation was extended until June 17. You can leave Moscow on some terms, and come to the region on others.
Rosturizm and Rospotrebnadzor are ready to develop a plan of work with tourists in all regions of the Russian Federation.
People are in no hurry to give up their holidays – long cruises to popular destinations in Kazan and St. Petersburg are loaded by 70-80%, and passengers postpone dates from canceled May and June cruises.
The situation with short cruises is more complicated, their sales are suspended.
Now 20% of passengers want to cancel the cruise and return the money.
Experts expect there could be a scenario similar to the policies of airlines that have imposed refund restrictions and offered certificates. Most cruise companies keep the fleet in working order, and suffer losses.
The Russian government has allocated 320 million rubles to shipping companies engaged in sea and river cruise transportation, and industry representatives hope to expand support measures.
Research of the target audience from 35 years old showed that 60-70% of Muscovites are ready to go on a cruise, considering them comfortable and safe.
Companies encourage tourists by offering the best options for rebooking dates and bonuses with timely payment, options for designing their own travels.
In the near future, cruise tourists can expect innovations: changes in the power system, which is now planned in 2 shifts. Seating in restaurants is assumed by cabin numbers.
Employees in contact with tourists, like all other crew members, will be equipped with special glasses, half masks, etc.
Animation will change: mass events will be duplicated to keep the distance in groups, health classes will be added, and most of them will take place on the deck.
Game rooms for kids in the near future on ships will not open, and in the work with teenagers, the main emphasis will be placed on active non-mass events, for example, quests.
All these requirements are currently valid and can be waived as soon as quarantine measures and related restrictions are lifted.
In the company "Mosturflot" noted a new trend - rental of ships. For the upcoming season, there are applications for three-deck ships Alexander Green and Sergey Yesenin. The requests come from individuals and companies that have replaced corporate travel abroad for employees with a small cruise.
Source: atorus