Mankind has always sought for conquering new territories. In history in most of cases, these were not peaceful conquests, but now we won’t talk about captures. All roads have been opened and it remains only to follow them. Moreover the wandering spirit is doing its job. So, where would straighten the modern hunters of new impressions? On this and many other questions told us the director of travel agency «Roco Tour» Elena Beliesko.

- Elena, who is he - the modern tourist?
I would say that there are two distinct types of tourists: active and passive. First type chooses mountains, unknown places, Europe - in general, everything, where you can move, look, discover. The second type prefers to lie on the beach, to read a book, for them is not necessary to go for a trip. And why not? We do not impose - we do offer!

- Is it possible to identify some priority areas for tourists from Moldova?
Of course, most often they choose Turkey and Bulgaria, however, in this list can be included Egypt. Much depends on the season and the wealth. Economic class chooses Bulgaria. People with moderate wealth usually go to Turkey. There is a category of people which are attracted more by Mediterranean Sea – they prefer Italy, France, if financial resources allow - Cote d'Azur, St Tropez, Cannes, Nizza. In winter, tourists usually want something exotic - here the leader is the Indian Ocean. To find yourself only after few hours in a completely different year season in the Maldives, Seychelles, or Malaysia is a dream for many.

- Is there a fashion for travel?
That tendency can be observed, but all fashionable remains what people can afford. We can say that from time to time new directions "open up" for people, for example the ski resorts in Poland and Slovenia. At the beginning, nobody heard about them, but now they became famous. Some clients share own experiences with others, and this is the best advertising.

- Do you alert customers to what they need to be ready? Because each country is a different world!
Yes, each country has its own traditions, its own culture - and they must be prepared for these. If, for example, the tourists are going to Dubai, then we warn them about how to behave, when to talk, when better to just smile, how to dress. Because wearing a short skirt in the Emirates will result severe penalties. Or another example, if tourists travel to exotic countries, we caution that they must be vaccinated. About traveling to Europe is a little bit easier - we prevent only about those places that need to be visited.

- Well, the portrait of "our tourist" is drawn, but what about the foreign people, from where do they come and which are their destinations?
Our most frequent guests are Turks, Italians and British. They come to see what we can show: wineries, monasteries, churches. There are many excursions to Tsipovo, Orheiul Vechi, Saharna. There is another interesting place: foreigners like to go to Transnistria. For them it is something extraordinary, they believe that there is the real communism. Even the trip is called "Piece of Communism”! Foreign tourists are impressed by everything beginning with tanks on the border, continuing to buildings, shops and inscriptions. And they always remain delightful about this trip!

- There is such a direction as agro-tourism- is it popular?
Yes, it works since it had appeared several years ago. We settle the foreign tourists in the village family, and they live there for few days the country life. They collect something in the garden, care for the animals, eat traditional Moldovan meals, in general make everything that the ordinary rural people do.

- Amazing! What else do you surprise?
There are some interesting destinations, like a trip to another country for an interesting concert or exhibition. For example, we propose a trip to Prague where will perform Chris Rea in February, or at the "Song of the Year", which will be held in December in Moscow.

- Since we're talking about the most interesting aspects, appears the question: with what may surprise “Roco Tour” in comparison with other travel agencies?
My answer is this: we do not have any special characteristics, but we do everything – and this is the main particularity. If a tourist comes to us with some unusual wishes - they definitely will become reality. We have the whole world!

- What would you say about the competition among travel agencies in Moldova? Maybe there are too many of them for such a small country as Moldova?
Indeed, there are many travel agencies ... Everyone believes that the tourism business means very easy earnings. But the reality is different. This domain supposes a lot of hard work. First of all, even it seems a little strange, but the Internet requires a lot of work from us. Tourists themselves are now able to book tickets and hotels through the World Wide Web. Secondly, tourists have become more literate.

- What does it means – “become literate”?
They know exactly where they want to go. They often argue that you suggest, because they know all about hotels, beaches, even the view through the windows and the restaurant's menu. Usually, they can tell about everything better than the travel agent. And, in my opinion, this is very good, with such tourists is easy to work. It is always easier to work with someone who knows what he wants.

- What is the difficulty of the Moldovan tourism?
Opening visa is the most difficult part. We can say that we are attached to it. In our country people do not always program their rest; perhaps, it depends on the southern temperament! Sometimes they want in few days already to awake themselves in France, Bulgaria or any other country. But, unfortunately, this is not possible. Each visa is opened in a week or 10 days. If it concerns an exotic country, then visa can be opened only in Moscow, Kiev or Bucharest. And it’s hard to open it only in a few days. This is perhaps the most difficult particularity.

- How did the crisis affect the tourism business?
Financial crisis affected the tourism. At the beginning of the year it was not so noticeable, but now, at the end of the year, it’s significant. Now, we are between seasons, let's hope that everything will be okay, and that since early December people will be attracted to travel. In this period we will prepare for the next season. Since February we will begin to sign contracts, to invent interesting suggestions. It is normal for the period between seasons to be peaceful! Also, it’s important that calm period will change into a storm in a good sense of this word!

- Finally, I will ask a question that many would have asked. We consider that tourism is very expensive and is not for everyone. Is this true?
No, absolutely not. We find tourist packages depending on their capabilities and desires. It's not as expensive as it seems. For example, a trip to Austria for 11 days, for 329 Euros including accommodation in a three-star hotel - is it expensive?

- It's not that expensive, but many cannot afford it. Let’s take in consideration that periodically are advertised very cheap tours – are those prices real?
Low prices are not uncommon, especially during the stock deals. But they need to respond immediately, because you cannot succeed, because they are sold very fast!

Thank you for your interview. Interview author: Nadejda Buzovskaia