Sochi Flight Bookings Plummet Among Provincial Residents Due to Price Hike
The summer of 2018 witnessed a notable decrease in flight popularity to Sochi among residents of provincial cities. This trend was particularly evident among those from Voronezh and Chelyabinsk, who were 2.5 times less likely to book flight tickets. Meanwhile, Moscow and St. Petersburg residents maintained their interest, with a slight increase in bookings.
Experts attributed this shift to economic factors. Ivanov, an analyst from Biletix.ru, explained that the average cost of flights to Sochi rose by 25-28% over the year, making it less affordable for many. This price increase was most felt in provincial cities, leading to a significant reduction in flight bookings.
In Yakutsk, for instance, ticket purchases to Sochi dropped by a factor of three, highlighting the impact of the price increase on travel decisions.
The rise in flight costs to Sochi has led to a decrease in bookings from provincial cities, with residents of Voronezh, Chelyabinsk, and Yakutsk being particularly affected. Meanwhile, residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg continued to show interest, with a slight increase in bookings. The economic factors driving this trend are clear, with affordability playing a significant role in travel decisions.
