Sergey Agafonov

CEO

Last Minute Tours LLC

Sergey Agafonov CEO of “Last Minute Tours LLC” (Сеть Магазинов Горящих Путевок), with 28 years of experience in the travel industry, analyzes the current 2025 season. In his view, the traditional top three destinations remain unchanged: Türkiye firmly holds first place, followed by domestic tourism within Russia and Egypt sharing the second and third spots.

The main risks of the season are related to the ongoing effects of sanctions, although the situation with air travel is gradually stabilizing. Visa regulations have become more stringent—processing now takes about a month, and visas are issued strictly for the travel dates.

A notable feature of the season has been the entry of new players into the tourism market—banks and online marketplaces. However, their attempts to mass-sell package tours have so far seen little success due to a lack of professional expertise in this highly specialized field. The core mass-market traveler continues to seek the best value for money, although the VIP segment remains active.

In a rapidly evolving tourism landscape, successful agency operations require a comprehensive approach. It is essential to build and maintain direct relationships with hotel representatives, enabling quick resolution of client issues. Continuous professional development is equally important. The current environment calls for active use of digital tools—from social media to targeted advertising. The development of the B2B segment is gaining particular importance through specialized platforms such as HelloOtel, which open new opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.

According to the expert, despite all the changes, the fundamental principles of the tourism business remain the same: professionalism, customer orientation, and the ability to adapt to new realities.