EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Tourism, Transport

Tez Tour representative Marina Ulanova indicated that in winter there are no real alternatives to holiday trips to Egypt in terms of prices. In summer, however, tourists can travel to Bulgaria, Greece, Spain and Italy instead of Turkey.

Novatours head Leonids Mocenovs noted that until now Turkey has been one of the most popular Novatours destinations but that because of political developments in this country tourists' interest in Turkey had slightly decreased lately. "Meanwhile, events in Turkey and Egypt have been promoting interest in European destinations like Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria."

Novatours' overall sales data shows that travelers' interest in trips has not decreased. Booking data for the upcoming summer season suggests that demand for trips has remained virtually unchanged from last year, although tourists are now choosing their destinations more carefully and inquiring about security, Mocenovs said.

Given the additional security measures taken by the Egyptian authorities, the Latvian Foreign Ministry has advised tourists holidaying in Red Sea resorts of Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Taba, Nuweiba or Dahab to stay inside guarded hotel territories.

Meanwhile, a number of terror attacks which have claimed the lives of people have been committed in Turkey in recent months. Moscow imposed sanctions on Turkey after the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by Turkish forces in November.