Tourist's tomorrow: preparation for the hiking season will cost 22 thousand rubles
The minimum set of tourists before the current season of active recreation will cost more than 22 thousand rubles, analysts estimate. This amount includes the purchase of a tent, a sleeping bag, a folding table and a "survival kit" consisting of a knife, matches and several necessary tools. The demand for such products this year exceeds last year's by 30-40%, and in some categories it has even increased three to four times. Hiking trips are organized in all regions, but among the most popular destinations for such tourism this year are Crimea, the Caucasus, Altai, Kamchatka and Karelia. If you don't have enough independent travel experience or want a certain level of comfort, it's better to choose an organized tour, experts say.
How much do they spend on active recreation
Russians are buying goods for outdoor activities and tourism this year — the demand for them has increased by 30-40%, according to data from the analytical center "Check Index" of the company "Platform OFD".
The minimum travel package, consisting of a tent, a sleeping bag, a folding table and a "survival kit" (a compact set of tools from a knife, matches, hooks, etc.), costs an average of 22.5 thousand rubles this spring. This is 15% higher than last year, analysts estimate.
The most expensive position is a tent. It costs 11 thousand, which is 20% higher than last year. And they buy them 31% more often. An average of 3.6 thousand rubles are spent on a sleeping bag (+17% compared to last year), the number of purchases increased by 40%. On average, 7,1 thousand rubles are spent on trekking boots (+10%) and they are bought more often by 6%.
— Traditionally, the beginning of spring becomes a period of active purchases of tourist equipment — hiking enthusiasts prepare in advance for the opening of the season. However, this year the demand turned out to be noticeably higher than usual: the warm spring prompted many to start collecting in advance," Check Index analysts pointed out.
This spring, customers were more likely to choose products of a higher price segment, which affected the size of the average receipt, they noted. The trend, in their opinion, is related to several factors. This is an increase in the number of fans of independent tourism, who thoroughly approach the preparation, and the growing popularity of online shopping.
"The growth of real disposable incomes and the early spring not only stimulated demand, but also adjusted consumer habits, shifting the focus to quality and digital shopping channels," they added.
What kind of equipment is bought online
Online orders account for more than half of sales in the category of equipment for tourism and outdoor activities, Check Index noted.
Sales of camping equipment at marketplaces increased by 51% year-on-year, analysts at Moneyplace (part of the Kontur ecosystem of business solutions) estimated. For certain product categories, such as hiking showers and trekking shoes, sales increased 3-4 times.
— Multitools, tourist knives and lanterns are also in great demand among tourist products. Sales of tents and trekking poles have increased," said Anastasia Romanova, an analyst at Moneyplace. — The main cost category is a backpack with a tent and a mat, trekking shoes and a windbreaker, trekking poles, a good flashlight, a camping shower and gaiters.
Also in a tourist's backpack, she said, there should always be a multitool or a knife, camping utensils with a portable gas stove, and a power bank. She estimated the cost of starting equipment for trekking and hiking at 35 thousand rubles. This is 20% higher than last year.
In the first two weeks of May, demand for tourism products on Ozon increased 1.4 times year-on-year, the Markteplace press service told Izvestia. The top purchases include tents and tourist furniture, headlamps, and travel mats.
The Wildberries press service also confirmed the growth in sales of goods for tourism and camping. Compared to April-May of last year, the turnover of tents increased by 30%, camping furniture sets — by 14%, and travel mats — by 8%.
— In order not to stay hungry on the hike, the Russians bought thermoses, skewers and mangalas, sets of tourist dishes. Sales of tourist gas stoves, flashlights and fishing rods have also increased, they said.
In April of this year, Russians were 20% more likely to search for goods for tourism and recreation on the platform compared to the same period last year, according to Avito data.
— Air mattresses are among the leaders in demand growth — year by year, users of the platform were interested in them five times more often. Headlamps, inflatable tents and lounge chairs are in second place — the number of requests has more than tripled. In third place is a tent on the roof of a car. Navigators complete the top five popular products, the company estimates.
Where are tourists going?
The demand for active recreation and tourism is growing by 10-15% annually, said Nikolai Khoruzhenko, an expert at the Russian Union of Travel Industry and head of the Strannik tour operator.
— People discover the format of recreation when they don't just lie on the beach by the pool or go on a car tour, but go to trekking, explore different locations, — he noted.
He named Crimea, the Caucasus, Altai, Kamchatka and Karelia among the most popular destinations for such holidays.
— There is a myth that going camping is very cheap, but it is possible only if you know how to do it yourself or go with a tour club, take the train or go on foot, — the expert emphasized.
When it comes to commercial trips, the quality of services plays an important role, he added. These are delicious and varied meals, good tents, professional guides, and not just one, but several per group.
— All this costs money, and the price of such a hike is already comparable to the program of accommodation at the base with room amenities and day trips, — explained Nikolay Khoruzhenko. — People increasingly prefer not to carry equipment, not to spend the night in tents, but to overpay a little for a warm room.
Hiking tours and hikes are organized in almost every region of the country, from the coast of the Kaliningrad region to the mountainous regions of the Far East, added Ksenia Andriankova, head of the travel booking service for Russia and the near abroad, Turslet. According to her, the main audience consists of tourists aged 25 to 45 years. These are both independent travelers and participants in organized programs.
— The cost of a five-day walking tour of Lake Baikal starts from 37 thousand rubles per person, including meals according to the program, as well as the purchase of groceries and dropping them off at the beginning of the route, accommodation at recreation centers according to the program with 3-4 beds, meetings and transfers, guide services, boiler equipment and first-aid kit, payment for visiting the national park, excursions, entrance tickets to museums," she noted.
An eight-day tour to Adygea will cost about 75 thousand rubles per person. This amount includes accommodation at a mountain recreation center, three meals a day, transportation within the route, visits to thermal springs, instructors, and rental of necessary equipment.
For a seven—day walking tour to the Caucasus to the Kestantytau volcano, you will have to pay from 120 thousand rubles per person, and for a long trip across the Altai for 14 days - from 151.6 thousand rubles per person.
— All air travel and train tickets to the start point of the programs and in the opposite direction are paid separately and are not included in the price of sightseeing tours, — Ksenia Andiankova reminded.
The safety of the hike should play an important role, Nikolai Khoruzhenko emphasized. If your own experience is not enough, you should contact professional instructors or organizers who will prepare everything properly.
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