The FINANCIAL — (Tbilisi, Georgia) Where can you travel to for 1,000 EUR? Have you already decided what your dream destination would be? The FINANCIAL has revealed and will advise you on where you can travel to for a maximum of 1,000 EUR, with a holiday budget from saving only 150 GEL a month.
The FINANCIAL — (Tbilisi, Georgia) Where can you travel to for 1,000 EUR? Have you already decided what your dream destination would be? The FINANCIAL has revealed and will advise you on where you can travel to for a maximum of 1,000 EUR, with a holiday budget from saving only 150 GEL a month.
The penetration of low cost airlines in the Georgian aviation market has brought a wide variety of offers and destinations in different cities as well as the opportunity for middle-income individuals to travel more for less cost.
There are 13 airline companies operating in Georgia offering charter and transit flights to all around the world. The local and international companies include: Airzena, Lufthansa, BMI, Lot Airlines, airBaltic, Czech Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AeroSvit, Ukraine International Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, and Siberia Airlines. The prices for airline tickets depend on the destination and start from 75 EUR.
Hotel prices in Europe, Turkey and Egypt start from 30 EUR a day. Moreover, the additional fees needed depend on whether you choose an all inclusive package or not.
Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Spain, Italy as well Cuba are in the short list of the destinations you can visit during 10 days for 1,000 EUR according to the tour operators and travel agencies interviewed by The FINANCIAL.
Egypt, which is usually the most favoured destination of Georgians in winter time, due to the protests and political instability this year was replaced by Dubai.
BusinessTravelCom offers 10 day packages for travellers from 800 EUR, which includes air tickets, hotel BB, transfer and insurance, and according to tourists’ wishes – inter tour prices are added.
“As the season in Egypt failed and the prices in Dubai are higher, tourists replaced the destination with European ones. In Georgia, people are used to and therefore prefer all-inclusive packages, and consequently visit Turkey and Egypt each year. Due to the fact that this year tourists did not have that opportunity they switched to Europe,” said Ella Karapetyan, Director of BusinessTravelCom.
“If we compare prices, Europe is not expensive as low-cost airlines provide a wide variety of destinations in Europe. The tour packages in Europe include air tickets, insurance, transfer and hotel accommodation. At the hotel, clients mainly take bed and breakfast (BB) or half board (HB),” Karapetyan said.
According to Karapetyan the major difference among different destinations is that individuals who take packages in Turkey and Egypt have passive holidays, not even leaving the hotel, which is the main reason of taking the all-inclusive package. While in Europe, tourists prefer to go sightseeing, travel round the city and consequently do not need all-inclusive packages.
At Intercontinental one can spend a week in the Czech Republic, France, Spain for 1,000 EUR. The package includes travel tickets, accommodation and breakfast.
“The biggest demand is for the countries where there are charter flights. One such destination was Egypt where Intercontinental has now renewed its flights. People prefer Turkey and Egypt as the packages are all-inclusive. In Europe all-inclusive does not work and an individual needs approximately 60-70 EUR on top of the tour package,” said Nino Makhviladze, General Director of Tour Operator Intercontinental.
“This winter, Egypt was substituted with Dubai, Thailand and Caribbean countries, however, compared to the previous year demand was 80% lower,” said Makhviladze.
Ntour will offer a cruise tour from April for 1,000 EUR. The eight day cruise will start from Istanbul, Turkey, and the ship will go through Italy, Greece and Croatia.
For a week’s escape, Ntour provides Italy tours including visiting the different cities Rome and Florence from 850 EUR. The price also includes travel fees, accommodation, transfer as well as excursions.
“The most popular tours in summer are to Turkey, as for winter – Egypt is usually most popular. This year Egypt was replaced by Dubai and Thailand. However, Thailand is little bit more costly compared to other countries, the eight hour flight costs approximately 810 EUR and the individual needs at least 1,300 EUR,” said Nani Shengelia, Director of Ntour Head Office.
“We see demand for Europe year round. Moreover, currently we offer tours to Israel starting from 1,400 USD, in a 4 star hotel with meals two times per day,” Shengelia added.
According to Olga Beridze, Tourism Manager at Travel Land, the packages vary among individual tours and groups, however, they mainly include air tickets, hotels and transfer.
According to Beridze at Travel Land the majority of demand is for Antalia, Turkey and in Europe for Germany.
Moreover, recently the Ministry of Public Affairs declared an easier visa regime with EU countries. The visa will be given out during 10 days time and its price will be 35 EUR, however, for students, journalists, pensioners, children up to 12 years, disabled children, public leaders and the closest relatives of legal residents of the EU, as an exception they would not pay the cost of the visa.
Beridze believes that if the individual has all their documentation properly prepared and clarifies their reasons for travel, he won’t have any problems with the embassy.
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