Depuis le début des manifestations en novembre dernier, le nombre d'arrivées a baissé de 5% aux aéroports de Bangkok. Un million de touristes étrangers pourraient de plus renoncer à un voyage dans le pays et engendrer une perte de 500 M € rien que pour le premier trimestre 2014.
Lire la suite...
bonjour merci ............ et le pire economiquement et politiquement est a venir ...........🤪
pour ce qui concerne le tourisme .... historiquement on l'a vu par le pasee ......... les prix vont augmenter , car il faut bien que quelqun paye ....... 🤪
« Le voyage apprend la tolérance. »
Benjamin Disraeli
-
Un million de touristes étrangers pourraient de plus renoncer à un voyage dans le pays et engendrer une perte de 500 M € rien que pour le premier trimestre 2014
tant mieux.... les prix d'avion baisseront comme aux dernières manifestations en 2009/2010 ...
les paranos restent chez eux ou changent de pays....super
historiquement on l'a vu par le pasee ......... les prix vont augmenter , car il faut bien que quelqun paye ....... 🤪
nous franchement on ne s'est pas vraiment rendu compte des augmentations par le passé... après le tsunami ils avaient annoncé bcp moins de monde et plus cher.... nous y sommes allés 4 fois entre novembre 2005 et décembre 2006 et les prix n'avaient pas grimpé....
et en 2009 - 2010 quand il y a eu les grosses manif, idem moins de monde dans les avions (prix en baisse ponctuelles faites par les compagnies super, nous avons sauté sur l'occasion et idem dans les commerces et hôtels pas de hausses significatives..
et même si ça augmente si on reste simple ça reste un pays très intéressant pour les vacances.. quand on voit les prix en france dans notre région ou à la montagne pour les mois de février ... on paie moins cher notre séjour en thailande que des amis qui vont à avoriaz !!!!
Reponse a Merk99.
Pas sur.
A l'epoque du SARS, ou du volcan islandais, le prix des billets d'avion avait un peu baisse.
Par contre, de nombreux vols avaient ete annules.
Resultat, avions pleins comme des oeufs avec des escales sur des trajets ou il n'y en avait pas.
Le vol Singapore Airlines, plein a craquer avait fait escale a Zurich et a Francfort.
L'experience m'a enseigne qu' il n'y a pratiquemement jamais de baisse des prix quand il y a des problemes dans un pays ou dans une region.
Au contraire. Il y a souvent une hausse des prix.
Faire le meme chiffre avec moins de clients, c'est une antienne bien connue.
Je me trouve actuellement en Thailande.
Les prix sont au plus haut.
Enormement de russes ( le mot est faible ) et d'australiens.
Le bungalow que je payais 1200 baths a Koh Kood en novembre 2012 est a 1400 aujourd'hui. Celui que j'avais paye 1000 baths en novembre 2013 a Koh Mak est a 1400 aujourd'hui.
Entre temps, le prix des bieres jus de fruits et des plats a pris 20 %.
Autant ne pas trop rever.
Bonjour
La fin de l'article cité est un peu en contradiction .
Pour autant, le centre de recherches estime que la Thaïlande devrait toutefois enregistrer une hausse globale de 8,5 % de sa fréquentation touristique avec un total de 29 millions de touristes étrangers en 2014.
Cela correspondant plus a ce que j'ai constaté personnellement .
Entre 14/01 et 20/01 a bangkok particulierement dans les centres commerciaux , aux centres des shutdowns : beaucoup + de monde que d'habitude .la curiosité sans doute ?
21/01 >25/01 Khao lak ( touchée durement par le tsunami en 2004)
Enormement de ...touristes , surtout des russes et des Francais , hotels majoritairement complets .
25/01>28/01 a suivre car encore sur place : kho pha'ngan ; beaucoup plus de monde que les deux dernieres annees a la meme epoque , surtout des russes , absents, quasiment , auparavant .Sans rapport avec les FMP trop eloignées.
Qu'il y ait eu une baisse du tourisme , au debut des manifestations est certain.Mais les voyageurs , grace a la communication instantanée, ont bien vite compris qu'ils ne risquaient rien ;et je pense que si la situation reste stable , plutot a une augmentation des flux, surtout loin des zones "a risques" .
Les prix de novembre ne sont pas les mêmes que ceux de janvier.
Bonsoir jack
De meme que ceux de janvier sont inferieurs a ceux de fevrier ( ca depend ou , je sais )
A khao lak par exemple : beaucoup plus de monde en janvier 2014 qu'en fevrier 2013 et surtout + cher !!et pourtant le temps est comparativement , mediocre .
Je crois tout de meme que les Russes , sont particulierement envahissants cette année.
Et comme ils n'ont pas apparement de notion de prix , les thaïs en profitent un peu beaucoup.
A khao lak par exemple : beaucoup plus de monde en janvier 2014 qu'en fevrier 2013 et surtout + cher !!et pourtant le temps est comparativement , mediocre .
EXACT , nous y allons deux fois par an et avons vu la différence entre fêtes de fin d'année 2012 et 2013 plus de monde et prix plus élevés ... idem nous y retournons fin février et le remplissage des hôtels est assez surprenant.. dommage ce coin de paradis va être vite envahi.. pourvu que les russes ne viennent pas polluer ce site en grand nombre, c'est vrai que l'on en a entendu à la plage toujours aussi bruyants (plus que l'année 2012) ....hélas dans les années à venir ça risque de faire comme à pattaya et phuket...😠 . bon un petit avantage, khaolak il ya pas mal d'endroits préservés et les hôtels de plus de 3 étages sont pas autorisés... bref on verra bien...
par contre pas d'accord pour le temps.. il a fait très beau (avec vent, un peu frais le soir en scooter mais très bien) cette fin d'année 2013 (14 jours sans une goutte de pluie) au contraire de décembre 2012 et février 2013 nous avions de la pluie tous les après midi..
en ce moment des amis y sont et il fait très beau...c'est vrai que par contre il fait "plus frais" le petit matin et soirée avec cette brise.. la mer est un peu moins chaude que les autres années..
en ce moment des amis y sont et il fait très beau...c'est vrai que par contre il fait "plus frais" le petit matin et soirée avec cette brise.. la mer est un peu moins chaude que les autres années..
C'est tout de meme la 1ere fois qu'a khao lak , j'ai supporté la ...couette !!
Changement climatique , ou...Russes ayant ramené le froid ?😏😉
C'est tout de meme la 1ere fois qu'a khao lak , j'ai supporté la ...couette
mdr Serge enfin, c'est mieux que la pluie et qu'un fort taux d'humidité désagréable.
c'est bien mieux une petite fraicheur pour dormir sans clim qui véhicule bcp de bactéries qui font que des touristes ont des crèves bien fortes qui gâchent leurs vacances...heureusement en décembre nous avions prévus des teeshirt à manches longues et gilet pour le soir en scooter!!!!
et au moins on supporte en journée d'être à la plage sans transpirer à grosses gouttes....
bon pour les russes par contre dommage qu'ils envahissent sans aucune discrétion les zones touristiques..plus ça va plus c désagréable de le cottoyer dans les hôtels (aucune discrétion)
bon après tout étant donné qu'ils peuvent sortir du pays depuis quelques années après ils en profitent mais se font mal voir qu'au point certains établissements les refusent....😄
Les Russes ont aussi debarqué a kpg , et en nombre .
Et crois moi c'est une donnée qui n'a pas dû etre integrée dans les chiffres cités plus haut .
Le tourisme Russe de masse s'intensifie dans des proportions qui peuvent etre dramatiques si on compare a pattaya par exemple .
ça va faire comme en Egypte, dans certaines villes. La langue parlée n°1 est le russe, ensuite vient la langue arabe.
Cela dit, ça fait déjà un bon moment qu'ils ont droit de sortir du pays. Et je pense qu'ils ont la notion des prix, contrairement à ce qu'on pourrait penser. Ils sont juste près à dépenser plus que les autres.
Ce qui d'ailleurs fait grimper très fort les prix.
une bombe 3 etangers blesse et tu veras 50% de moins ........
on l'a bien vu a bali ...............
Bonsoir Thuan
50/100 de moins de recettes ( c'est le sujet !) ou de touristes
New york 11/09/2001
Paris st michel
Londres
Tu veux d'autres exemples de villes ou il y a eu des attentats qui n'ont pas ou plus d'impacts sur le tourisme ?
en tous cas, ici aux Phils, le typhon de novembre a fait de "l'impact"sur le tourisme ou plutôt sur tous les paranos qui ont annulé leur voyage à la suite de cela!les médias ont tellement"tout grossi"bande de C--S, Les gens ont cru que tout l'archipel a été touché!!.Pour la Thaïlande, beaucoup renoncent à y aller ou à retourner car elle devient trop touristique, donc moins attirante et cela ne n'arrangera pas.Pour2015 ils sortiront les même chiffres(ou sup).D'où vient le terme"victime de son succés"!!
L'experience m'a enseigne qu' il n'y a pratiquemement jamais de baisse des prix quand il y a des problemes dans un pays ou dans une region.
Mon expérience est légèrement différente :
- Voyage en Argentine après la banqueroute du début des années 2000 : prix divisés par 4... Jamais vu ça.🤪
- Voyage à Bali un an après les attentats : billet sur Singapour Airlines bradé à 525 euros avec un stop gratuit à Singapour. (Cerise sur le gâteau : l'avion était quasi vide !)
- Crise économique et dévissage de la monnaie des BRICS : le rand était lors de mon dernier séjour à 11, il est pour mon séjour de cette année à 15 et les prix n'ont pas augmenté dans les mêmes proportions.
Les Russes ont aussi debarqué a kpg , et en nombre
A KPG et aussi à Samui
Ils aiment le balnéaire
En revanche, dans le nord, on en voit peu.
Là ce sont les Chinois ! Et pas qu'un peu !
Population qui parle fort mais quand même qui a nettement plus de "tenue" que les Russes
Et qui discute les prix
En anglais
Au moins, ça ne casse pas le marché 😇
1 : Il faut vivre ses rêves et non pas rêver sa vie - 2 : mieux vaut vivre avec des remords qu'avec des regrets
En effet cela pourrait expliquer la diminution
Faudrait ajouter l'invasion ou plutot l'infection de la fréquentation des Russekofs qui polluent tous les endroits et qui font fuir les autres touristes vers d'autres destinatinations
il sufit de lire VF pour voir que des manif angoisse deja le tourisme ......
Salut
Ca je suis d'accord avec toi :
Il y a enormement de " personnalités "sur VF qui s'amusent a angoisser les
Neophytes de la Thailande, du fond de leur Suisse ou de leur France .
Ce n'est pas normal .Heureusement qu'il y a de la moderation de la part de ceux qui y sont .( pas de ta part ).
Je te rappelle qu'apres le tsunami de 2004 , plus personne ne voulait aller cote andaman .Un tsunami qui fait des centaines de milliers de morts est a mon avis , bien plus terrifiant que quelques grenades lancées au hasard, non?
Pourtant tous les posts le confirment:le tsunami ! Quel tsunami ?khao lak : enorme frequentation!!
Les gens oublient ou croient plutot a leur immortalité.Le temps passe et on oublie .
Alors les phils, le typhon aujourd'hui , la Thailande les manifs , demain, ce soir, la vie reprendra ....normalement
Faudrait arreter de créer des psychoses.
en tous cas, ici aux Phils, le typhon de novembre a fait de "l'impact"sur le tourisme ou plutôt sur tous les paranos qui ont annulé leur voyage à la suite de cela!les médias ont tellement"tout grossi"bande de C--S, Les gens ont cru que tout l'archipel a été touché!!.Pour la Thaïlande, beaucoup renoncent à y aller ou à retourner car elle devient trop touristique, donc moins attirante et cela ne n'arrangera pas.Pour2015 ils sortiront les même chiffres(ou sup).D'où vient le terme"victime de son succés"!!
Salut victor
Tu vois le typhon aux phils , moi ca m'a donné l'envie d'y aller , ne serait ce que pour aller aider les gens qui l' ont subit , ce que je ferais entre mi mars et mi avril.
Voila le probleme : les medias et leurs exageration , et la rumeur qui enfle, qui deforme , qui fait se rendre "interressants" des anonymes sans competences ni autre qualités que ergoter et ragoter !
Salut Serge
Je pense plutôt que les gens sont trop influencés par les médias, qui n'oublient pas mais qui se délectent de nouvelles infos, toujours du nouveau, si possible des scoops, et ça fait qu'une info chasse l'autre
Quel média parle encore régulièrement de Fukushima, de la grippe aviaire, d'Haïti, ou même des Philippines, comme si les problèmes étaient réglés ?
C'est ça qui me dérange le plus
Alors évidemment on ne va pas passer non plus son temps à énumérer la liste des catas à la télé ou à la radio (et pourtant quand en France on a des otages, c'est quand même bien tous les soirs qu'on a droit à la liste, les noms les photos "nous ne les oublions pas", non ?)
Mais tu as raison, ici comme ailleurs, de trop nombreuses personnes participent à la dramatisation, et donc l'amplifient sans doute aux yeux de ceux qui viennent chercher de l'info, ou à être rassurés
On ne dira jamais assez qu'il suffit de se tenir à l'écart, par précaution et aussi parce que nous n'avons pas à nous immiscer dans des problèmes internes, surtout de cet ordre
La Thaïlande est assez grande pour qu'on y trouve son bonheur partout, même sur une courte durée
1 : Il faut vivre ses rêves et non pas rêver sa vie - 2 : mieux vaut vivre avec des remords qu'avec des regrets
Tu vois le typhon aux phils , moi ca m'a donné l'envie d'y aller , ne serait ce que pour aller aider les gens qui l' ont subit , ce que je ferais entre mi mars et mi avril.
Voila le probleme : les medias et leurs exageration , et la rumeur qui enfle, qui deforme , qui fait se rendre "interressants" des anonymes sans competences ni autre qualités que ergoter et ragoter !
Serge, je me réjouis vraiment de pouvoir faire ta connaissance en vrai début mars 😉
1 : Il faut vivre ses rêves et non pas rêver sa vie - 2 : mieux vaut vivre avec des remords qu'avec des regrets
Alors évidemment on ne va pas passer non plus son temps à énumérer la liste des catas à la télé ou à la radio (et pourtant quand en France on a des otages, c'est quand même bien tous les soirs qu'on a droit à la liste,
Reponse a Jack99.
Bonjour,
Les prix sont moindres en octobre.
Ils augmentent a partir du 1er novembre.
Lors du nouvei an chinois ils prennent parfois un petit coup de chauffe.
Le Siam Beach ou je me trouve avait des bungalows a 1400 baths en novembre. Les memes bungalows sont toujours a 1400 baths aujourd'hui.
De plus, il est plein. Essentiellement des russes, qui se foutent completement des prix.
J'etais sur une des Gilis apres l'attentat de Bali. Les prix des guesthouses n'avaient pas baisse.
Sur la plage, , les vendeurs de souvenirs avaient augmente leur prix.
Normal. Ils essayaientde faire leur chiffre sur une seule vente.
Toi aussi alors tu participes à la dramatisation ?
Combien de crimes crapuleux tous les jours ici, ailleurs, en France ?
Stop
Non, surtout pas,
Ente dramatisation et, dédramatisation
Juste une précision pour les lecteurs/ futurs voyageurs
entre ton "partout et mon "presque partout"
Et ce n'est pas un crime crapuleux c'est la mort d'une enfant au nom de la (es) religion(s)
Dont acte, pas de souci
Sinon, je ne vois pas bien ce que vient faire le postage de ce fait divers dramatique (pour ne pas dire crapuleux) dans ce sujet, je trouve que ça ajoute à la dramatisation des évènements en cours, et il n'y en a pas besoin
C'est tout
1 : Il faut vivre ses rêves et non pas rêver sa vie - 2 : mieux vaut vivre avec des remords qu'avec des regrets
Lol
Pour revenir au sujet ,
Les previsions de baisse de frequentation sont peut etre basées sur l'estimation que les touristes resteront aussi moins longtemps.Voir que les demandeurs de visa , cette annee s'abstiendront .
Il est vrai que la presence recurente de Russes , qui sont des gens habitués a la violence quotidienne , aux repressions , fausse un peu le debat .
Les previsions de baisse de frequentation sont peut etre basées sur l'estimation que les touristes resteront aussi moins longtemps.Voir que les demandeurs de visa , cette annee s'abstiendront .
bonjour , a cela le nouvel attrait pour la Bimanie ........
« Le voyage apprend la tolérance. »
Benjamin Disraeli
-
Bonjour Thuan
Oui entre autres.
Mais pas seulement .
Beaucoup de forumeurs ont posté des critiques pertinentes sur "la Thaïland change "
Ne serait ce pas le moment d'aller voir ...ailleurs ?
Moi en tout cas je me pose, parfois , la question, surtout quand la qualité de vie , pour moi , touriste , se dégrade.
Un petit tour pour quelques millions de personnes ça chiffre vite .
Sont-ce les manifestations la cause première , d'une hypothétique baisse de revenus liée au tourisme. ?
Pas si sûr.
Avis aux expats, globe trotters, voyageurs et squatteurs de longue durée en Thaïlande, il s'avère de plus en plus difficile d'obtenir des visas touristiques…
BANGKOK-NYT-31/05-Ce mardi, les autorités de la faune ont saisi 33 tigres d'un temple bouddhiste dans l'ouest de la Thaïlande, dans le but de mettre fin dès…
Je viens de lire sur HUAHINFORUM.COM que les visa-run sont désormais limité à 3 maximum, après quoi il faut faire une demande de visa hors du pays. Application…
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In practical terms, you can now find VoyageForum directly on PetitFuté.com, through:
Over 190 destinations linked to the forum: on each “Discover the destination” page, a “Travelers’ Forum” tab lets you access discussions, tips, and testimonials from travelers just like you.
A link to the forum in the “Community” menu under “Discover the forum”, where you can chat, ask questions, or simply dream about your next getaway.
This partnership marks a new step in giving travelers even more of a voice.
A way to connect practical information and lived experience, to share insights so everyone can plan their trips by relying on what’s most valuable: exchanges between enthusiasts.
Thanks to all of you who keep this wonderful community alive, day after day.
Because travel is even more beautiful when it’s shared
You’ve explored the world, captured landscapes, and lived unique moments…
What if now was the perfect time to bring them to life on paper?
With the discount offered by MyAtlas for 1 month, turn your best memories into a real printed travel journal—something to flip through, share, and cherish.
Holding a real photo book in your hands is so different from scrolling through files on a hard drive. It’s something to treasure and share with loved ones over a nice slice of cake. A tangible way to keep your travel memories alive.
PROMO CODE: PROMOVF15
Discount: 15%
Valid until: November 13, 2025!
One use per person
Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer—if you’ve got travel photos waiting to be printed, now’s the time to go for it!
I’ve kept quiet about them... to preserve them.
Those are the words of a passionate traveler who recently wrote to us.
For years, he’s been discovering rare, authentic places... and chooses to say nothing.
Out of respect. Out of fear of destruction. Out of love for secrecy.
What would you do?
You stumble upon a magical spot, still untouched by mass tourism.
Do you keep it to yourself... or do you open the door, gently, to other travelers?
At DIRECTRAVEL, we’re asking ourselves these questions.
Can sharing be an act of passing something on?
Or is it always the beginning of the end for these preserved places?
Read the article here.
We’ve got a little game for you (okay, it’s not a walk in the park—you’ll have to do some digging!) with DirecTravel: the prize is 5 nights for one person at the Nilaya Experience guesthouse, right in the heart of Kerala, India.
The stay is worth 700 €. It’s set in a magical spot among the rice fields, offering a relaxing and 100% authentic getaway, far from the noise, hosted by Raghu and Véronique.
How to enter is simple:
1- Head over to directravel.org.
2- Browse the site to find the answers to the 10 contest questions. Click here for the questions.
Each question includes a clue to guide you to the right page.
3- Answer all 10 questions correctly to validate your entry.
Contest Rules
The game is free and with no purchase necessary.
A random draw will be held on September 19, 2025, among all correct entries.
The winner will be contacted directly by DIRECTRAVEL.
The prize is non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and valid based on the accommodation’s availability.
What if your travel memories had a place in a real journal? 🌍
Back-to-school season is when we get back into our routines, but it’s also when we look back on the great memories from summer. We often promise ourselves we’ll organize our photos, jot down our stories… and then life gets busy. Those memories slowly fade, stuck in our phones...
Travel journals from MyAtlas are here to change that. They let you gather your stories, your images, and your emotions in a beautiful keepsake you can hold onto and share. It’s like a personal diary, but illustrated by your travels.
Creating your journal also extends the travel experience: reliving your photos, rediscovering details you’d forgotten, and bringing those moments back to life.
Use the code BIENVENUE10 for 10% off your first album ;)
A new step for visitors starting September 2025
Laos is modernizing its border entry procedures. From September 1, 2025, the Laos Immigration Police Department will pilot a new online arrival registration system for foreign passport holders.
This new procedure is similar to Thailand’s recent switch to a digital arrival card system (introduced in May 2025). Just like in Thailand, travelers heading to Laos will still need a valid visa—either an e-visa obtained online in advance or a visa on arrival (VOA) at eligible checkpoints—but they can now skip the paper immigration forms at the border.
TikTok is currently experimenting with a hotel booking feature directly integrated into its app, in partnership with a well-known specialized platform. American users can now search for and book accommodations without leaving TikTok. Meanwhile, content creators with over 1,000 followers can promote hotels and restaurants in the U.S. and earn commissions or vouchers for bookings. This test, limited to the U.S. market for now, aligns with the trend of social commerce. There’s no doubt this initiative will be closely watched by major players in the online travel industry.
Originally planned for an official opening on July 3, 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which has already been partially open since autumn 2024, has had its official inauguration pushed back to the end of the year. This decision, made due to growing tensions in the Middle East, was motivated by the desire to give the event the international dimension it deserves.
Spanning 500,000 m²—larger than the Louvre (which has 360,000 m² of total space, including 73,000 m² of exhibition areas)—the museum will house up to 100,000 artifacts, including the complete collection of Tutankhamun and a monumental statue of Ramses II.
It can already welcome 4,000 visitors per day with limited access, with a future capacity estimated at 13,000 per day once fully open.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of François Boucher, the founder of VoyageForum.
We will remember his passion for travel, but most of all, the pride he took in this forum, which has become indispensable among travelers. While there may have been heated debates, we ask that you show respect for him.
François was still very active on the forum, especially in the technical development section. VoyageForum was his life’s work. He worked passionately to update the site and make up for the 4 years of closure due to the pandemic.
Today, VoyageForum has also lost its developer.
That’s why we’re reaching out to this community to continue François’s legacy. If there are any former or current developers among you who know PERL and would be willing to help, your support would be greatly appreciated.
According to a recent study, Bangkok ranks first among the top 100 global destinations for remote workers in 2025. The Thai capital stands out for its excellent value for money, solid infrastructure, and high satisfaction levels among digital nomads.
Dubai, London, Tokyo, and Nakhon Ratchasima (in Thailand) complete the top 5, each catering to different priorities (safety, connectivity, cultural vibrancy). The study also highlights the cost-of-living gaps between cities: from Weligama (Sri Lanka), very affordable, to New York, the most expensive.
Social media engagement and visitor return rates are also becoming key indicators for assessing a destination’s appeal to nomads.
We’re thrilled to share an exclusive offer from our partner Subocea for August:
80 € per person per day to board a private luxury boat in Egypt with friends, family, or colleagues!
The offer includes everything on-site (accommodation, meals, activities, etc.), except for the flight.
Onboard, snorkel with turtles!
A unique opportunity to experience an unforgettable adventure in an exceptional setting while meeting other community members.
Hurry: only 26 spots available! 😉
Departure is imminent—a great chance to escape and reconnect.
If you’ve been looking for a reason to pack your bags, here it is!
Interested? Contact us quickly to book or get more info!
You’ve probably noticed it: the real travel gems no longer show up in search results. In today’s all-digital age, those local operators, small authentic accommodations, passionate guides, and committed local initiatives remain invisible. No flashy website, no ads, often not even an online presence.
Yet they exist—people who take care of their land, their culture, their community. Hidden in valleys, villages, forests. These are the ones who truly give meaning to travel, the kind you only discover through word of mouth... or among savvy travelers.
A collaborative project is starting to patiently catalog them, one by one. It’s called DirecTravel. Not very well-known yet—it’s just getting started—but already shared among independent travel enthusiasts. Here, no standardization or flashy interface: every address has been discovered on the ground, the old-fashioned way. Some have even been recognized by the Sustainable Travel Awards.
Their approach? Taking the time to listen, build connections, and support local initiatives that will never appear on Google’s first page.
If you’re looking for something beyond the usual recommendations, and if the idea of sharing genuine tips speaks to you, then this project might interest you. And maybe you, too, have a gem to share with them.
Travel bookings to the United States are seeing a significant drop in France for summer 2025, with over a 30% decrease in the spring and around -11% for summer departures.
Several reasons explain this disengagement:
an unfavorable exchange rate at the start of the year,
very high prices on the ground (accommodation, dining),
negative experiences with immigration,
as well as a political and social context perceived as off-putting (civil rights, safety, tense social climate).
Tourism professionals also note difficulties for Florida and some Southern states, while destinations like New York and Orlando are faring better.
The recent drop in the dollar and airfares could, however, encourage last-minute departures, and tourism stakeholders are betting on a gradual recovery starting this autumn, with major events planned for 2026 like the World Cup or the 250th anniversary of the United States.
This summer, your memories deserve more than just a corner of film!
For the summer season, our partner MyAtlas is offering you an exclusive deal: 10% off all travel journals to print with the code ETEVF25 😛
Perfect for preserving your photos, anecdotes, itineraries, and highlights, the MyAtlas journal turns every trip into a real keepsake book—personalized and ready to flip through anytime.
Whether you're off on an adventure or exploring just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to capture the essence of your getaways and relive them again and again.
Don’t let your best stories gather dust in your phone: print them, share them, and above all, treasure them 😉
This forum was closed for a long time after COVID, then due to its sale by the previous owner. Since 2022, there have been notable changes for Russia. It became possible to travel to Russia as a tourist again after COVID restrictions ended in summer 2022. But before that, in March 2022, the EU and member countries cut air links with Russia, as well as train lines. They also cut Russian banks off from the Euro-American banking network—meaning cards and wire transfers.
EU-based insurers stopped offering policies for Russia.
The Green Card for cars in Russia was also discontinued.
Then the EU abolished the simplified visa regime agreement with Russia.
All in all, a summary of the current practical aspects would be helpful.
I’ve been traveling to Russia regularly for about twenty years, and after the long COVID break, I resumed in autumn 2022.
Visa
The usual paper visa is much more expensive. On one hand, because the previous regime was scrapped, and on the other, because invitations for multi-entry visas are pricier. A single-entry 30-day visa costs 80 €. The multi-entry one is 240 €. To be sure you’ll get a 12-month multi-entry, it’s best to buy a telex invitation from the MID (Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), though there are few resellers. Prices vary depending on the seller.
E-visas are now available for Schengen passport holders. A big simplification for trips up to 16 days within a 60-day validity period. You can apply from 40 days up to 5 days before your desired date. Issued in up to four days. The site is https://evisa.kdmid.ru/ Cost: 50 €. Processed through an Emirati bank (United Arab Emirates).
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance with repatriation is required to get a visa. So you’ll need to buy a policy. This brings up payment methods. If you’re already familiar with Russia and have a Russian bank account, you can pay with your Russian card. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy from a site that accepts payments via a Belarusian bank—which means your bank must work with Belarus—or go through https://goingrus.com/fr/insurance
Transport from the EU
Minibus (marshrutka) from Kirkenes (Norway) to Murmansk. Schedules are coordinated with flights from Oslo, which arrive between 11:00 and 12:00. They wait on the right as you exit the airport. Some are chartered by groups and leave directly, but may have space—ask the driver. Otherwise, two companies run the route, with a stop in town at the corner of the Scandic, where they depart around 14:00 or 15:00. Payment in cash (NOK or RUB) to the driver. Main operator: https://borodinbus.com
Bus from Tallinn (Estonia) to St. Petersburg. The border crossing is on the Narva River. The Russian road checkpoint has been closed since January 2024 for construction expected to last 2.5 years, so reopening is possible in summer 2026. In the meantime, it’s a two-bus journey: Tallinn-Narva, then walk across the bridge between the Estonian and Russian checkpoints at Ivangorod, followed by another bus. Several companies: Luxexpress, Ecolines, Baltic Shuttle, Anniston, СКСавто.
Bus from Riga to Pskov or St. Petersburg (final destination). Departs from Riga’s bus station (behind the train station) daily between 18:00 and 19:00. Arrives in Pskov between 01:00 and 02:00 (Russian time). Company: СКСавто. There’s another bus around 21:00 with Ecolines, but it’s longer, with a long stop at the border.
Bus from Gdańsk to Kaliningrad. Several buses per day. From the PKS bus station, behind Gdańsk’s central station, on the other side of the boulevard. From Kaliningrad, a 1-hour flight to St. Petersburg costs around 5000 RUB.
Basically, unless you’re planning to go to Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula—and possibly from Murmansk, flights to Arkhangelsk, then Nenetsia (Naryan-Mar), etc.—the three main crossing points with airports are Tallinn, Riga, and Gdańsk.
The Gdańsk-Kaliningrad bus is the fastest, and the ticket to St. Petersburg is very reasonable.
The Narva-Ivangorod route is the riskiest in terms of potential queues and crossing time. Holiday periods are especially risky. Last mid-June, I took a 14:00 bus from Tallinn. I’d bought a single-berth compartment on the Grand Express St. Petersburg-Moscow train, leaving at 23:00, with the idea of a good night’s rest before a Moscow-Magadan flight. A 7-hour queue at the border meant I arrived at St. Petersburg’s bus station at 23:00—missed the train, had to book a room, and spent time finding a reasonably priced flight to Moscow the next day for the same airport as my Magadan flight.
The Riga-Pskov route is a bit long but relaxed. If you get off in Pskov, you can still get decent sleep between 02:00 and 12:00. The Oktyabrskaya Hotel is cheap. I’ve also stopped in Izborsk. You ask the driver when boarding in Riga. The stop is on the federal highway—cross the road, and the main inn is 200m away. You can explore the medieval site the next morning before taking a bus to Pskov (30 km).
From Pskov, there are fast regional Lastochka trains—three or four per day—to St. Petersburg, taking 3.5 hours. Very comfortable and affordable.
Also, two daily flights with Azimuth to Moscow-Vnukovo from 5000 RUB. A one-hour flight. It’s a section of Pskov’s military airfield, just a few kilometers from the city center.
Money
Cash. The EU issued a nonsensical decree: a ban on importing EU currency (euros, zloty, kroner, forints, etc.) except for personal travel use. This doesn’t make sense because as a citizen of a eurozone country, you *have* to have euros—cash or electronic (card). You can’t travel without them. The stipulation about a limit for personal use is absurd because personal use can mean anything from a hostel bed to a luxury hotel room, plus transport (flight tickets, train tickets in Russia), restaurants, etc. Estonian customs officers ask about this at the border when leaving. They ask in Estonian, then Russian, then English, depending. Since I cross with a French passport, I just say, "Sorry, I don’t understand," no matter what. Then they ask with a questioning look, "Euro?" and I shake my head. I haven’t been searched, but they do ask to glance in your bag. Russians with large suitcases often get checked.
Cards and phone apps: if you have a Russian bank account.
Telephony and Internet
Roaming works but is pricey. Okay for calls and SMS, but very expensive for data. In that case, use an e-SIM with your home carrier if your phone supports it. Otherwise, look into prepaid rechargeable SIMs in Russia for data only—like SIM cards for mobile modems.
Russian SIM: Since this year (2025), as of March, it’s mandatory to be registered in the EBS (Unified Biometric System) to buy a SIM card. For a non-resident foreigner, this means first registering for a SNILS at an MFC (Multifunctional Center)—also called "My Documents." The SNILS is the pension center, which doesn’t require residency. After getting your SNILS number and certificate, you register on the public services portal, Gosuslugi. Finally, you register in the EBS system (voice sample—you read numbers—and a biometric facial photo).
Personal Car
The Green Card no longer covers Russia, and neither do EU-based insurers. But third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) is mandatory. Since the closure of the Russian checkpoint at Ivangorod for construction and the Finnish border closure, the routes are from Kirkenes in Norway, the Estonia-Pskov route, and—since the Belarus-Russia joint visa this year—the Belarus route, e.g., Poland-Terespol-Brest or Lithuania-Belarus.
No OSAGO sales if you cross via Kirkenes. I didn’t see any at Shumilkino, the Russian checkpoint after Estonia toward Pskov. If you have a Russian card, you can buy online, of course. Otherwise, pay in cash on-site at certain company offices (specific forms aren’t available at all agencies) or online by paying to a third-party account outside Russia—with added fees.
Spotlight on the "What A Trip Festival" in Montpellier
From September 22 to 28, 2025, head to Montpellier for the What A Trip Festival, the must-attend event for travel and adventure in images 😉
This event draws around 40,000 passionate visitors who come to (re)discover the world through documentary film screenings, followed by meet-ups, conferences, and workshops.
The "travel village" hosts a dedicated fair: exhibitor booths, a travel bookstore, photo exhibitions, food trucks, and free concerts set the pace.
The "Les rencontres voyageurs" booth will be there to offer you: a friendly atmosphere, conferences, masterclasses, fun games, and even interviews!
From December 9th to 12th, experience a winter getaway in the heart of the Czech capital, under the magical lights of the Christmas markets.
Enjoy an all-inclusive stay, blending cultural discoveries and festive holiday vibes with Hasamélis & MyAtlas.
Explore Prague’s treasures: Old Town Square, the castle, and the Town Hall Tower for breathtaking views…
This guided tour also takes you to exclusive, privately booked venues: Strahov Monastery, Estates Theatre, Municipal House… A rich cultural program in a cozy, festive atmosphere.
Calling all adventure and off-road enthusiasts: the must-attend event of the year is just around the corner!
From August 26 to 30 in Valloire, don’t miss THE OFF-ROAD SHOW, the premier event dedicated to expeditions, overlanding, and motorized exploration.
4x4s, trucks, motorcycles, SSVs, gear, travel, test drives, meet-ups... Over 180 exhibitors and the 4th edition of the Rencontres Voyageurs, a 1,000 m² space hosted by Campers Lab and MyAtlas.
On the program: Activities, talks, interviews, masterclasses...
One motto: get inspired, connect, explore... in the heart of the Alps.
At the Seto forum (Association of Travel Agents), it was highlighted that, despite an uncertain geopolitical context, summer bookings are showing a slight increase (+1.4% overall as of the end of April), with +1.6% on medium-haul and +0.6% on long-haul flights. This growth is supported by an expected revenue increase of +2.9% and an average basket rise of +3.2%.
In terms of destinations, the Greek islands remain at the top despite a slight decline of -1%, the Balearic Islands are gaining ground (+2%), and Tunisia stands out with strong growth (+13%) thanks to its excellent value for money. For long-haul, Mauritius continues to dominate (+9%), while the United States is experiencing a downturn (-14%), behind Indonesia (-6%) and ahead of the Dominican Republic (+4%). Finally, French Polynesia (+16%) and Vietnam (+41%) are emerging as booming destinations.
"Les rencontres voyageurs" is a must-attend event for all travel enthusiasts, at the heart of France’s most beautiful gatherings.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a beginner looking for your first adventures, these meet-ups aim to bring people together, inspire, and share knowledge.
They offer a unique opportunity to chat with inspiring travelers, discover their authentic stories, their favorite spots around the world, and their practical tips for traveling peacefully and enrichingly 😉
"Les rencontres voyageurs" also feature conferences and masterclasses led by industry experts, covering a variety of topics such as responsible travel, content creation, and optimizing itineraries.
These sessions, both practical and inspiring, are designed to expand your knowledge and fuel your projects. On top of that, there are fun and educational activities, including the famous traveler quiz, encouraging exchanges and conviviality. Finally, visitors can explore an exhibition of travel vehicles, vans, 4x4s, nomadic equipment, and chat with professionals about van conversions, mobility, and innovations dedicated to vanlife.
A complete, immersive experience that’s all about discovery.
VoyageForum needs you more than ever! To continue making it the biggest space for exchange, inspiration, and sharing, we want to better understand your desires and expectations.
Take a few moments to answer our survey and let’s build the future of VoyageForum together!
Big traveler survey! We want to know everything! 🌍
Dreaming of your next trip already? So are we, but to better understand the desires and habits of French travelers, we need your help to later offer the best tips, good deals, trips, and more.
It’s a short form (promise, it only takes a few minutes).
And... there might just be a 50 € gift voucher up for grabs for one of the participants. Just like that, to thank you for taking part✨
Just click on this link: https://tally.so/r/mRrj6J and check the box based on your travel preferences 🧳✈️
Thanks in advance for lending a hand!
The cruise sector has seen a remarkable rebound since the pandemic, with 2024 attendance 20% higher than in 2019—outpacing air traffic growth, which was limited to 10%.
This performance is driven by an early recovery in the U.S. starting in 2021, competitive pricing, and enhanced onboard offerings. Cruise companies have invested in innovation, with a notable increase in patents related to passenger health (14%) and onboard services (50%).
These efforts have attracted a younger clientele, with millennials now making up 34% of passengers. This recovery model could inspire the airline industry to accelerate its own rebound.
La gastronomie thaïlandaiseFR
Thailand via Kuala Lumpur
Première découverte de la ThaïlandeFR
Ici et là, dans l'est de la Thaïlande et le sud du LaosFR
Faut-il éviter de voyager en autocar en Thaïlande?FR
Walks in the Kingdom of Siam
Skyscrapers, Markets, Ice Cubes, Tourism, and Waterfalls... Thailand's Excesses
Another side of my trip to Thailand: Villages, nature, countryside, mountains...
