Turkey has long been one of the favourite destinations of Lithuanian holidaymakers. Many say that the country offers not only stable sunshine and an all-inclusive vacationing experience but is also much cheaper than the popular Lithuanian resort of Palanga.
Inflation in Lithuania has encouraged people to balance their holiday desires with their financial means. According to Swedbank, 7 out of 10 Lithuanians have adjusted their holiday plans due to the economic situation. Holidaymakers are reducing their holiday budgets, choosing cheaper destinations, and looking more actively for discounts.
According to the Lithuanian Tourism Association, prices of its holiday packages abroad have increased by around 15 percent this year. However, it is not uncommon for Lithuanians to assume that a holiday in Palanga would still cost more than a last-minute trip to Turkey.
But there are a lot of myths about cheap holidays in Turkey, says Donatas Remeika, head of the Travel Department at Beta Media.
“The price of a trip depends very much on its date and the level of hotel you choose. Turkey is a family paradise, so planes start filling up and trips get more expensive as soon as the academic year ends for children,” he says.
Trips to Turkey are usually cheaper in April-May and September-October, and get more expensive during the high season, Remeika notes.
However, the summer months are when the trips to Turkey are the most popular, according to Kazimieras Jarmalis, sales manager at tour operator Novaturas.
“If we take an average, holidays in Turkey in June costs around 680 euros per person, in July, it is slightly more expensive at 700 euros, and 710 euros in August,” he says.
The final cost of the trip also depends on the travellers’ needs and expectations, Jarmalis adds.
Let’s calculate
When comparing the cost of a week’s holiday in Palanga and Turkey, people must take into account the category of the hotel and the type of catering, Remeika says.
“If you choose a three-star economy class hotel, it will be cheaper to stay in Palanga, but if you choose a five-star superior class hotel, you can stay cheaper in Turkey and also enjoy an all-inclusive food and beverage system,” he notes.
Remeika estimates that a seven-night summer holiday in Palanga for two people staying in a three-star hotel with breakfast could cost from 700 euros, while a similar stay in Turkey with all-inclusive food and beverages could cost from 950 euros.
According to his calculations, a seven-night holiday in Palanga for two people staying in a five-star hotel with breakfast could cost from 1,500 euros. A similar but all-inclusive stay in Turkey could cost from 1,400 euros.
“But price is not the only criterion for choosing a holiday in Turkey. In many cases, it’s the guaranteed good weather that determines the choice,” Remeika notes.
Sentimental value
Despite the high prices, Lithuanians often choose to spend their holidays on the Lithuanian seaside because of the sentimental aspect and attachment to it, says Inga Aukštuolytė, a representative of tour operator Tez Tour.
“Some foreign resorts are cheaper, and there are some where the weather is guaranteed to be good. However, the summer season in Lithuania is very short, so you can understand resort entrepreneurs trying to make up for it,” she explains the higher prices in Lithuania.
But Turkey remains the most popular foreign destination among Lithuanian holidaymakers, Aukštakuolytė notes.
“After Turkey, Greece with its islands of Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and the Peloponnese on the mainland are the most popular destinations among Lithuanians,” she says.
According to Jarmalis, however, people’s attitudes towards holidays are changing, with more and more of them trying to combine relaxation with active leisure activities.
“Curiosity has increased considerably, which is why destinations such as Madeira and Montenegro are becoming more popular,” he says.
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