The ways to reduce the cost of holidays in Russian hotels are named

The price increase has affected almost all categories of goods and services, from everyday purchases such as groceries and cosmetics to the tourism industry: hotel accommodation, flights, sightseeing programs and other services for travelers have significantly increased in price. Against this background, people have become more attentive to travel planning and are looking for ways to reduce costs. On March 15, Marina Zlobina, Commercial Director of LEGENDA HOTELS, shared with Izvestia tips on how to save money on domestic travel.

"Early booking remains one of the most effective ways to save money on your trip today. It allows you not only to fix the cost of the tour, but also to choose the best accommodation option in popular destinations," she said.

According to the expert, the difference between booking a few months in advance and buying a room at the last moment can reach 15-25%, and during periods of high demand — in summer, on May holidays or on New Year's dates — sometimes it turns out to be even higher. As Zlobina noted, as hotel occupancy increases, rates gradually increase, and the most profitable room categories are booked first. Therefore, early planning gives tourists not only a more affordable price, but also the opportunity to choose the most suitable accommodation option.

Another way to optimize your budget is to choose less busy days for your trip. Even a small adjustment of dates can sometimes significantly reduce the total cost of living.

"Shifting check–in or check-out by just one to three days sometimes reduces the cost of accommodation by 10-20%. This is due to dynamic pricing: during periods of maximum demand — holidays, school holidays or weekends — tariffs rise the fastest. For example, in country hotels, Friday and Sunday are traditionally more expensive, whereas in city hotels, on the contrary, the demand for weekdays is higher. Therefore, if it is possible to slightly shift the dates of the trip and get away from peak days, you can significantly save money and at the same time get a wider choice of rooms," explained the commercial director of LEGENDA HOTELS.

In addition, the choice of travel period can significantly reduce travel costs. According to the expert, in the off—season — between the main tourist peaks - hotels often offer special rates and promotions to keep the load up. At this time, the cost of accommodation is often noticeably lower than in high season, and guests have more opportunities to choose convenient dates and room categories.

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"In the off-season, savings can reach 30%, and sometimes even more, especially in popular destinations. But it is important to take into account the format of recreation: for city trips, sightseeing routes and sanatoriums, this is almost the ideal time, since the infrastructure continues to work, and the flow of tourists is lower. For beach or ski resorts, on the contrary, it is worthwhile to assess the weather conditions and availability of services in advance so that the trip remains comfortable," said Zlobina.

She added that the combination of several tools provides the most tangible savings. According to the expert, loyalty programs, cashback services and early booking promotions can significantly reduce the total cost of travel.

In addition, tourists should pay attention to direct bookings through hotel websites. In such cases, hotels often offer additional benefits that are not always available on aggregators.

"Direct booking often provides a better price or additional benefits, such as a free room upgrade, early check—in, late check—out, or more flexible cancellation conditions," she explained.

According to the expert, apartments and rooms with kitchens are becoming increasingly popular among travelers seeking to optimize their budget. This format allows you to control food costs, which is especially important for family trips or long vacations. Also, increasingly, groups of friends and family are choosing more spacious rooms or suites, dividing the cost of living among several guests.

"If a large company is traveling and several rooms are needed at once, it makes sense to contact the hotel's sales department directly. In such cases, hotels are often ready to offer special group rates, which may differ from the open prices on the website," the expert concluded.

Time for change: prices for tours to Turkey and Egypt may rise due to the war in the Middle East

Faced with billions in losses, tour operators are looking for a way out of the situation

On February 10, Bekir Dolmush, a travel agent and representative of the Alanya tourism sector, urged not to rely on affordable prices for holidays in Turkey this summer, as the crisis in the Middle East has complicated the economic and tourism plans of the country's authorities. He clarified that the uncertainty of the situation increases business costs, for example, for energy, logistics and food.

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