Russian tour operators have suspended sales of tours to Iran and Israel
Moscow
Russian tour operators have suspended sales of tours to Iran and Israel
Tour operators have suspended sales of tours to Iran and Israel following the recommendation of the Ministry of Economic Development, the safety of those tourists who are in both countries is being monitored by host companies, the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST) said on Monday.
“We are no longer selling Iran and Israel. We have a small tour group in Iran, the trip is already ending, everything is going normally, we are now organizing a transfer to Azerbaijan so they can leave for home, as there are no direct Aeroflot flights, on which they arrived, yet. We also have a family vacationing in Israel, and they do not want to interrupt their vacation yet. There are stranded tourists in Jordan because of flight stoppage, but as Royal Jordan promises, flights should resume on June 17. Guides from our host offices are in touch with all tourists,” the PCT press service quotes Daria Domostroeva, Director of Public Relations of Intourist tour operator, as saying.
At the same time, the tour operator began receiving requests to cancel reservations for trips to Israel’s Eilat on direct Red Wings flights, on which it had taken blocks of seats.
“We offer tourists a refund or alternative destinations, such as Turkey. But the flight program has just started, bookings were only gaining momentum, we can’t talk about the masses. In any case, Jordan, Israel, Iran – niche destinations, a drop in the ocean compared to the problems that tour operators now have to solve in a really mass destination – the UAE,” – said the expert.
On June 12, Red Wings airline launched direct flights from Moscow to the Israeli resort of Eilat for the first time after the pandemic. The seats on the first flight were sold out almost completely.
According to ITM Group, sales on Iran were stopped immediately after the statement of the Ministry of Economic Development. However, the operator’s tourists are now in this country.
“The group is in Shiraz. Now the situation is calm, the tourists are safe, we are in touch with our host company, monitoring the situation. If necessary, the tour program will be adjusted. Flights between Moscow and Tehran are suspended, and the decision on the comfortable return of tourists home will be made depending on the development of the situation”, – specified in the press service of the tour operator.
There are no applications for Iran on the next dates, and on the fall tours no requests for cancellation have been received yet. There are no ITM tourists in Israel.
The tour operator “Russian Express” does not have Iran in its assortment, but tours to Israel before the ban were sold and there are now clients of the tour operator in the country, although not many. Host partners are in touch with them. In general, the depth of sales in this direction is small, if there are refusals, returns and transfers, as explained in the company, will be made in the order established by the legislation of the Russian Federation.
In general, according to tour operators, it may be not hundreds but dozens of cancelations in Israel, Jordan and Iran.
In connection with the sharp escalation of the conflict in the Middle East on June 13, the Russian Foreign Ministry urged Russians to refrain from traveling to Israel and Iran until the situation stabilizes. Following it, the Ministry of Economic Development recommended Russian tour operators and travel agents to suspend the promotion and sale of tour products, as well as individual tour services to these countries.
Tour companies should inform customers who are going to conclude a contract for booking a tour or tour services in Israel, about the situation in this country, as well as to inform the terms of change or termination of the contract. Due to a significant change in circumstances, tourists have the right to demand the termination of the contract with the travel agency or change the terms and conditions. In this case, the customer before the start of the tour is refunded the full cost of the tour product. If the tour has already started, the client will receive part of the price of the tour package in the amount proportional to the amount of unprovided services.
As PCT previously reported, at the time of the conflict escalation there were up to 500 Russian tourists in Iran and Israel.
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