travel wholesaler sas

Air France-KLM Now Owns 20% of SAS: 3 Big Changes to Watch

Gordon Smith , Skift

August 28th, 2024 at 6:42 AM EDT

Air France-KLM’s significant stake is more than just a strategic move—it's the latest stage of deepening consolidation in Europe's airline industry. With SAS defecting to the SkyTeam alliance and expanding cooperation with new partners, expect tighter network integration in the months ahead.

Gordon Smith

The Air France-KLM Group has officially become a shareholder in SAS Scandinavian Airlines. The agreement marks the conclusion of one of the year’s biggest airline deals and heralds the latest phase of consolidation in the European airline industry.

On Wednesday, the Franco-Dutch firm formally concluded its acquisition of a 19.9% shareholding in SAS. Despite being a non-controlling stake, the company will make its presence felt as soon as Sunday. In a market filing, Air France-KLM said “extensive commercial cooperation” will start from September 1. 

Air France-KLM joined a consortium including Castlelake, Lind Invest, and the government of Denmark in the nearly $1.2 billion deal. The purchase forms a key part of SAS’s financial restructuring that helped salvage the Scandinavian carrier from extreme financial distress. With so many moving parts in the mix, here are three key areas to watch in the coming weeks:

#1: Switch from Star Alliance to SkyTeam

With Air France-KLM a cornerstone of the SkyTeam group of airlines, and SAS a founding member of rival Star Alliance – something had to give. On September 1, SAS will formally join SkyTeam . This major shift has implications across multiple areas, but one of the biggest is loyalty programs.

SAS says reciprocal frequent flyer benefits will start on September 1. The agreements cover Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue platform and SAS’ EuroBonus program. Put simply, members should be able to ‘earn and burn’ points more easily within the new partner airlines. September 1 also marks the switch date for eligible EuroBonus members to use SkyTeam benefits including SkyPriority status at airports and global lounge access. 

Notably, this means regular flyers with Star Alliance, such as United Airlines, will no longer enjoy the same perks when traveling with SAS.

This is a blow to Star Alliance’s footprint in northern Europe, but Scandinavia won’t become a black hole for the organization. As the world’s biggest airline group, Star has 17 other members offering nonstop flights to the region. This includes major players such as Air Canada, Air India, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.

In a slightly cryptic statement, the organization also teased possible expansion to compensate for the loss of SAS, noting that members “may bring additional service to Scandinavia” in the future. For a full list of members check out this  Star Alliance Skift explainer .

#2: Changes to Route Networks and Options

According to the new partners, headline developments include “far-reaching interline and codeshare agreements” to improve connections between airport hubs.

Air France has its primary base at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, while KLM’s global network is focused around Amsterdam Schiphol. As the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, SAS currently operates a three-hub strategy with efforts centered in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. 

The changes will make it easier for passengers to buy tickets and connect between flights operated by the various airlines. In time, expect improved connectivity between Air France-KLM and SAS hub cities to help feed onward traffic.

History also suggests that there could be some ‘route rationalization’, as overlapping networks are simplified to reduce costs and boost group profitability. It remains to be seen how the status of the three Scandinavian capitals will evolve as Air France-KLM enters the fold.

From Sunday, Air France-KLM passengers will have easier access to 33 destinations in Northern Europe via SAS hubs. In return, SAS travelers can connect in Paris and Amsterdam to 33 onward locations.

#3: The Start of ‘A New Era’

Most eyes are on the Air France-KLM developments on Wednesday, however, SAS had a separate milestone to celebrate. The Scandinavian company confirmed that it has completed and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States. 

SAS filed for Chapter 11 in July 2022, making good on earlier threats from airline management that it would do so if it was unable to secure concessions from key stakeholders. The carrier joined a long list of airlines that restructured during the Covid crisis. These included big names such as Aeromexico , Avianca , Latam Airlines Group, Philippine Airlines , Thai Airways, and Virgin Australia . 

Anko van der Werff, SAS President and CEO described the restructuring as “a historic day that marks the start of an exciting future.” He acknowledged the process had been complex, but the efforts “made it possible to save and restart one of the finest companies in Scandinavia.”

“Now, we must look ahead and complete the transformation that we have started, continue our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and take advantage of the opportunities in a growing market,” added the SAS chief.

What Happens Next at SAS?

While significant in its own right, Air France-KLM’s 19.9% stake could be just the start of a much larger commercial process. The terms of the consortium deal allow the company to increase its shareholding to a controlling position after at least two years. Subject to regulatory approval and financial performance, it could see SAS become even more closely integrated into the Air France-KLM Group. 

There is widespread agreement among analysts that further consolidation between European airlines will take place. Last month, the European Commission granted permission for the Lufthansa Group to acquire a 41% stake in Italy’s national carrier, ITA Airways.

For its part, on Wednesday the Franco-Dutch firm described the SAS transaction as a component of its “strategic roadmap”.

Speaking at the Skift Global Forum East in Dubai last December, Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith described the SAS deal as a “low-risk way of participating in consolidation.” He further hinted that TAP Air Portugal is also of interest. Although the Portuguese airline is currently state-owned, the government said it wants to sell some of its stake to a third party. TAP’s Lisbon hub, which has strong links to Latin America and parts of Africa, is attractive to all three big European airline groups .

However, regulators have not given every deal the green light. Earlier this month, IAG, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, terminated its proposed takeover of Spanish carrier Air Europa. The company had offered concessions to the EU in June after it warned that the acquisition could be anti-competitive. These included ceding 52% of Air Europa’s flights to its rivals. IAG continues to hold a 20% share in the Mallorca-based firm.

Watch Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith on the Skift Travel Podcast Here:

Airlines Sector Stock Index Performance Year-to-Date

What am I looking at?  The performance of airline sector stocks within the  ST200 . The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies.

The Skift Travel 200 (ST200)  combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number.  See more airlines sector financial performance . 

Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.

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Tags: air france-klm , business travel , loyalty , sas

Photo credit: As part of the changes, SAS is moving from the Star Alliance to SkyTeam loyalty program. SAS

Working with tour wholesalers: 9 tips for tour operators

By Rezdy — 7 Feb 2019

agent bookings   distribution   tour operator   wholesaler

Updated April 2023 – Expanding your distribution network and improving your online distribution strategy can greatly benefit both outbound and inbound tour operators , but it’s key to remember that success in the travel industry is not solely based on the quality of your product. Partnering with travel wholesalers can provide a valuable channel for reaching a wider audience and increasing bookings, but it’s important to strike the right balance between working with wholesalers and maintaining your own tourism profit margins .

These tips will help you develop relationships with the top businesses in the wholesale travel industry.

What is a tour wholesaler?

If you want to target wholesalers as a distribution partner, then you need to know exactly what they do within the travel industry.

The role of the wholesaler is unique, in the sense that they don’t work directly with travelers in the marketplace. Rather, a wholesaler will sell your tour products to retail travel agencies. In addition, they work with inbound tour operators to manage the specific details of itineraries. Essentially, B2B travel wholesalers help create all-inclusive packages for travelers to book. More and more travelers are now searching for comprehensive travel packages that include all of their experiences. By engaging with tour operators and travel wholesalers, it will be a valuable distribution channel for you to focus on.

9 tips for tour operators working with wholesalers

Here are nine tips for successfully working with B2B travel wholesalers.

Learn how tour wholesalers work

Learning how tour wholesalers work is crucial for tour operators who want to effectively partner with them and grow their business. Wholesalers act as intermediaries between tour operators and travel agents, and they often have established relationships with a wide network of agents who can help promote and sell the tours. By understanding how wholesalers operate, tour operators can better navigate the process of negotiating commission with travel agents and setting competitive pricing for their tours. 

Additionally, understanding how much travel agents make can help tour operators tailor their offerings to meet the needs and expectations of their target audience, ultimately leading to increased sales and a more profitable business.

Highlight the unique selling point of your tours

Wholesale tour operators are frequently searching for tours and activities that are both unique and authentic. These are the types of experiences that travelers are craving, and they want to be able to customize the itineraries. Not only that but having unique experiences will also be appealing to retail travel agents to better market the activity. According to Arival’s Path to Purchase September 2021 edition, the demand for unique experiences in 2021 has increased at drastic levels. More travelers are now searching for an experience that stands out and they’re willing to spend more for it.

When working with travel wholesalers, use online marketing techniques to showcase your products. Be sure to emphasize any value-added features that you include with the booking rate. Building unique experiences can be as simple as adding extra elements that your competitors might not do. For example, Offering lunch or dinner options along with a tour maybe that extra bit that will seal the deal.

Streamline your bookings online

Given the nature of their job, wholesalers will almost exclusively work with tour and activity operators who offer online booking. They are not going to have the time available to make phone calls or wait for e-mail responses. To attract the best wholesalers in the wholesale travel industry, you should implement an online booking system that simplifies the booking process. In addition, your online booking system should allow them to automatically earn their commission. This is, understandably, a priority of wholesalers.

For instance, an online booking software like Rezdy allows you to integrate and connect with multiple distribution agents. Once connected, they’ll be able to see live rates and real-time availability that allows them to book instantly. This removes the need to get in touch with you in order to process the booking. Once a booking has been processed, the commission rate you set will be automatically distributed to the agent. 

With a system like Rezdy in place, it’ll help both you and the wholesaler save time spent on processing orders. As a result, it will allow you to allocate your resources to more important areas of your business.

Set consistent rates for your tours

It’s imperative that you set consistent rates for your tours and activities, regardless of who is selling or booking them. For example, you can’t charge OTAs (online travel agents) one rate for your tours while switching up the prices on your website. When working with wholesalers, it is important to note that the commission rate may vary from one wholesaler to another. This may impact your profit margins, but it is beneficial to work with a diverse range of distribution agents.

Approach each tour wholesaler individually

Each wholesaler is different and the services they provide may vary from one wholesaler to another. As a tour operator, you’ll be working with multiple wholesalers located in different countries and regions that provide different services to different types of travel communities.

It’s important that you treat each wholesaler individually and build a personalized partnership. By doing so, it will help maximize your bookings and give you ideas for future marketing strategies. Consider incorporating a cloud based phone system into your operations to enhance your collaboration during the initial stages of your partnership. With this system, you can easily communicate and coordinate no matter where these wholesalers may be located. Features like call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calling enable seamless communication allowing for quick responses and effective coordination.

Meet your tour wholesaler face to face

Building a strong relationship with your tour wholesalers is crucial in ensuring you continue to have a smooth ongoing partnership. Being able to build trust and likeability with them allows for a more personalized venture that benefits both parties.

To communicate with your wholesaler via email gets the job done, however meeting them in person or over video -call will add that personal element. You will see that communication and negotiations will flow much easier once you have met them face-to-face.

Connect with your tour wholesaler on social media

Social media is currently one of the strongest platforms many businesses use to communicate with their customers and followers. In this day and age, many businesses – big or small – have a social media page that they will use to promote their business or provide updates.

You can use social media to your advantage by engaging with your tour wholesalers on multiple platforms. When you’re able to show support and promote your partners on social media by following, sharing, and engaging with them, they will likely return the favor. 

When other businesses promote you on their social media page, this will open you up to a pool of viewers that may not be aware of your business. Consider it as free publicity.

Treat your tour wholesalers like your business

When you apply to partner up with a travel wholesaler, it’s best to do some research about the company and approach them personally. Partnering with a travel wholesaler is more than just signing up to become one of their suppliers, you need to treat them as if they’re your own business. After all, they are providing you with another stream of income.

When working with a travel wholesaler, make sure you inform them of the latest updates, promotions, and opportunities. This will ensure that their staff is up to speed on the latest information that they then can share with their customers.

Keep track of your bookings

It’s important to be able to measure the success of the partnership between your business and the travel wholesaler. After all, you want to know what’s working and what’s not in order to cater to and strategize for the best possible outcomes. 

Keeping track of the bookings that come through from each distribution agent will allow you to have a better understanding of each market. This can then help you create marketing strategies catered towards these markets in order to boost your bookings.

Key takeaways

Working with travel wholesalers can be a valuable strategy for tour operators looking to grow their business and reach a wider audience. By understanding how wholesaler tour operators work, negotiating fair commission rates, and developing strong relationships with their partners, tour operators can successfully navigate the complex landscape of the travel industry and maximize their profitability. 

One effective tool for achieving just that is an online booking software like Rezdy, which streamlines the process of partnering with distribution agents, including wholesalers. Rezdy’s innovative channel manager platform ensures that all partners have access to your live rates and availability, making it easier to manage your distribution network and maximize your profitability.

If you’re interested in trying Rezdy for yourself, you can sign up for a FREE 21-day trial or request a free demo from our friendly team.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to subscribe to the Rezdy newsletter , where you’ll receive up-to-date learnings and news from the experiences industry straight into your inbox.

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How to Become a Travel Wholesaler in 3 Steps

What Is a Travel Wholesaler?

Start by looking at the offers, becoming a travel agent, from travel agent to travel wholesaler, franchising will help a lot.

Starting your travel agency or business is easier said than done. There are all kinds of different travel businesses you can try, so you first have to figure out exactly where you see yourself. Do you want to run a travel agency that makes arrangements for people, or are you looking for something more challenging, like working as a travel guide?

If you want to enter the big leagues, the best option is to become a travel wholesaler . Doing so will keep your everyday activities interesting and challenging, and you’ll also be able to make some serious money while you’re at it. Keep reading and learn more about what it takes to become a travel wholesaler.

Many people mistake travel agents for travel wholesalers, but the two are not the same. Travel agents work in travel companies directly with travelers. Their job is to help travelers find a destination they like, help them organize the best hotel, and point them to the area’s best activities while they are there.

On the other hand, travel wholesalers don’t work directly with travelers . They are the people that offer travel-related products and services to travel agencies that sell those services to customers. In other words, travel wholesalers provide all details that go into organizing a trip.

That includes a place to stay, a list of activities and tours, and find the best offers on the market. In return, they earn commissions directly from the agency that they helped sell an arrangement. Think of them as travel agent freelancers whose job is to find the best offer from all available travel agencies.

The good news is that the travel market keeps growing steadily every year. According to this website , the global travel accommodation market was valued at $632.8 billion in 2018. That number is expected to reach $893 billion by 2026 . There is plenty of room on the market for new travel wholesalers, so now might be the perfect time for a career change.

Let’s assume that you want to open and run a small local travel agency. As a travel wholesaler, your job is to browse through thousands of travel arrangements, offers, activities, and everything else that has anything to do with traveling.

Facebook and Instagram are a good starting point as that’s where 58% of new clients come from . Once you find the best offers, you have to plan an entire trip. That includes booking hotels, making sure that the travelers you work with get the best prices, organizing their activities while they are on the trip, and pretty much making sure that all of their wishes are fulfilled.

With that said, you don’t work directly with travelers. You have to find the best options and negotiate prices with all hotels, cruises, tour guides, and other travel products. Those prices are usually lower than retail prices as you buy them in bulk. Then, when you sum everything up in one big, juicy offer, you sell that offer to travel agencies that then resell them to travelers at higher prices.

Tourism is a massive worldwide business that covers many different areas. If you want to become an exclusive distributor and build your franchise from the ground up, you will first have to get the legal part in order. First of all, you will need an IATA certificate even to get started.

IATA stands for the International Association of Travel Agents, and it’s the most important document you need to get started .

As a travel wholesaler, you can’t work for another agency using their license, but you need a few years of experience to get an IATA.

What that means is that you can’t become a travel wholesaler overnight. You first must understand how the entire industry works, make the right connections, show that you have the skill needed to handle so much information, and earn a reputation.

Even if you have all that, you will need referral letters from agencies where you worked and as many suppliers as possible. For example, if you ever worked in the Marriott resort hotel, a letter from them would give you a good head start.

Apart from recommendation letters, you will also have to pay fees and bonds that are not cheap. That’s why it’s critical that you establish yourself in the travel industry as a trusted tour operator for another company. Once you meet the right people and have years of experience behind you, you will have the needed tools to become a travel agent.

Once you’ve built a strong foundation for your business, you can start working as a travel wholesaler. That will require a detailed business plan with an emphasis on finance, and you will have to keep an eye on your competition at all times. Check what your competition is doing before starting a business. See if there is room on the market for your agency. If the competition is too strong, you won’t have a chance, no matter what you try.

If you think that you can make it, you will still need a mentor to guide you through the process . That mentor has to be a non-competitive travel agent working for another company. These agents will be happy to give you a hand and help you understand the entire process better.

You will probably have to call dozens of businesses until you find one that’s willing to help you out. You can reach out to Expedia and Traverus Global and ask them for some advice.

Starting from nothing will put you against huge companies that will close all doors before you can get in. That’s why you should consider buying a franchise. Doing so will give you access to a working system and help you avoid common entrepreneurial mistakes . Your job will be to improve the franchise you get with better offers and more travel locations.

Since you will already have some regular customers, you will get some valuable feedback you can then use to improve your offer further. Remember to take one step at a time, and you might find yourself neck and neck with the most prominent travel wholesalers in the country.

Good Luck – You’ll Need It

The travel industry is an unforgiving place. You will find yourself in a small pool filled with sharks, as no one wants to give their piece of the cake away to someone else. However, some careful planning and a few useful contacts can help you build a strong travel wholesale business, but only if you time your moves right.

The current COVID-19 situation has put the industry under more pressure than it has ever seen. It will make your job harder, but on the other hand, the prices are lower, allowing you to close better deals quickly. We wish you good luck on your future travel business!

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Senior Director of Business Development APAC at Hotelmize, fourteen years experience in the travel industry in the APAC region, including eight years expertise in the travel technology industry, with a track record of proven success in the sales of travel technology solutions.

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12 Things to Do in Kazan, the Magical Capital of Tatarstan

After  Moscow  and  Saint Petersburg ,  Kazan  is arguably  Russia ’s nicest big city and its most multicultural one. The capital of historical Tatarstan is home to the country’s only Kremlin with a mosque inside. Included in Unesco’s World Heritage Sites list, it is quite unique. However, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Kazan. The place to be is Bauman Street, the pedestrian street lined with neoclassical buildings and churches, cool cafés, and lots of street performers. Another pedestrian street is Kayuma Nasyri, with loads of colorful wooden houses and old mosques.

• 1.1 Explore the Kazan Kremlin
• 1.2 People Watch on Bauman Street
• 1.3 Soak Up History on Kayuma Nasyri Street
• 1.4 Visit Kazan’s Most Important Church
• 1.5 Bike Along Rivers and Lakes
• 1.6 Admire Soviet Brutalist Architecture
• 1.7 Discover Kazan’s New Kitchy Architecture
• 1.8 Visit the Temple of all Religions
• 1.9 Learn About Tatarstan and Russia at a Museum
• 1.10 Try Tatar Cuisine
• 1.11 Join a Local Festival
• 1.12 Explore the Rest of Tatarstan
• 2.1 Things to Do in Kazan – Photos
• 2.2 Related posts

Things to Do in Kazan

Explore the kazan kremlin.

One of the most important things to do in Kazan is visiting its grand  Kremlin . Ivan the Terrible built the medieval citadel to replace the ruins of the former residence of Kazan Khans. This monumental fortress is close to the confluence of the Kazanka and Volga Rivers. Hence, the views are outstanding and sunsets unforgettable. The Kremlin is home to the Governor’s Palace, several museums, towers, churches, and a mosque. The lavish  Kul Sharif Mosque  is from a recent date. It stands on the place of an old mosque destroyed by Ivan the Terrible. The Kremlin’s oldest structure is the  Annunciation Cathedral  from the 16th century. However, its most famous landmark is the  Söyembikä Tower , whose origin is unclear. It owes its name to the Kazan queen Söyembikä, who threw herself to her death from the tower.

People Watch on Bauman Street

Kazan’s main drag  Bauman  is a 1,3-kilometer long pedestrian street in the city center. It bears the name of Nikolay Bauman, a local revolutionary hero. This lively street is where everything happens. Restaurants, bars, shops, churches, and museums line the street. The street begins at the Kremlin and goes all the way to Pushkin Street. Nevertheless, the pedestrian area doesn’t end there. It continues, albeit with a different name: Peterburgskaya Street. At the beginning of the street, close to the Kremlin, you’ll find the late 17th-century  Cathedral of Saint Nicholas . Closer to the end, you will see the  Epiphany Church  with its red bell tower. Take your time, and be sure to notice the little stars on the floor dedicated to Tatar celebrities!

Soak Up History on Kayuma Nasyri Street

Another pedestrian street well worth spending time at is the historical  Kayuma Nasyri . Unlike Bauman Street, there aren’t many shops or commerce of any type. Instead, you’ll find several mosques and some of the most colorful wooden houses in Russia. Kayuma Nasyri is the best-preserved aristocratic street in the Old Tatar Settlement, one of Kazan’s oldest neighborhoods. Noble Tatar families, rich merchants, and representatives of the higher clergy owned the 19th-century houses that line the street. The highlight of the street is the beautiful  Märcani Mosque . It marked the beginning of a multi-faith religious tolerant society in Russia, proclaimed by Empress Catherine II at the end of the 18th century. It is the oldest mosque in Kazan and all of Tatarstan, but also one of the biggest.

Visit Kazan’s Most Important Church

The  Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral  is Kazan’s most distinguished church and one of its spiritual symbols. Upon arrival, you will immediately notice its unique colorful decoration. The church belongs to the so-called Russian baroque, a style that dominated the late 17th and early 18th centuries in Russia. Though it’s unclear who built the church, its resemblance to the early 18th century churches from Ukraine is quite evident. The church impressed many Russian emperors, including no other than Catherine II. Not only that, but three famous Alexanders also visited and wrote about it: Pushkin, Von Humboldt, and Dumas.

Bike Along Rivers and Lakes

Biking is, without a doubt, one of the most fun and relaxing things to do in Kazan! The mighty  Volga and the Kazanka Rivers  surround the city. Additionally, several canals and the Kaban Lakes cross it in the middle. We biked along the rivers on a newly built promenade enjoying the views, and through a bizarre new luxurious neighborhood. Then we went to the National Cultural Center Kazan and turned on Pushik Street to see the  Opera House.  From there, we biked all the way to the  Kaban Lakes . We went back to the bike rental shop along the  Bulak Canal . The shop is right under the Kremlin, between the Kazanka River and Baturina Street. Don’t forget to bring your passport or any other valid ID.

Admire Soviet Brutalist Architecture

Just like all other big Russian cities, a variety of brutalist buildings from the Soviet Period dots Kazan. A bunch of large soviet residential blocks lies on the eastern outskirts of the city. Another massive soviet neighborhood is north of the center, across the Kazanka River. You can see that one from the top of the Kremlin. Among the many interesting buildings, our favorite was the abovementioned  National Cultural Center Kazan . Built in 1991, it is one of the most active museums in Kazan. You’ll recognize the building for its simple red tuff façade and the tall obelisk named Freedom.

Discover Kazan’s New Kitchy Architecture

One of the things that caught our eyes when we were in Kazan’s Kremlin is the plethora of new interesting buildings. Once we got closer, we realized how unusual they are, with weird decorative elements and materials. The one building that we noticed immediately is the so-called  Agricultural Palace , which is the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazan. You’ll easily recognize this lavishly decorated building by its 20-meter high bronze tree. Critics say it combines everything from the baroque to the renaissance, but tourists love it! Another building that we loved for its bold kitschy appearance is the  Tatar State Puppet Theater . Its castle-like structure seems to come from a Russian fairy tale.

Visit the Temple of all Religions

One of the most interesting things to do in Kazan is to go on an excursion to the  Temple of all Religions . This colorful temple is on the outskirts of the city. Consequently, you will have to take a public bus, hire a private taxi, or book an organized excursion. We are not talking about a religious building, but rather a cultural center. Its architecture incorporates an orthodox church, a mosque, and a synagogue. Though it is still under construction, it will eventually have 16 domes, representing the 16 major religions in the world. According to its authors, the Khanov Brothers, it’s a temple of culture and truth.

Learn About Tatarstan and Russia at a Museum

Kazan has several interesting museums. If you didn’t have time to visit the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, you are lucky. The Kazan’s Hermitage exhibits some of its pieces.   Apart from temporary exhibitions, the Hermitage displays European, Asian, and National art from different periods. The  National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan , Kazan’s premier museum, is across the Kremlin’s main entrance. Here you’ll find large archeological and ethnographic collections. If you have Soviet nostalgia, visit the  Soviet Lifestyle Museum  inside a communal flat. If you are looking for something even more unusual, visit the  Museum of Chak Chak  dedicated to the traditional Tatar dough pastry.

Try Tatar Cuisine

Contrary to our expectations, we enjoyed food all around Russia. It is usually very well prepared, and there are plenty of dishes to choose from. Tatarstan is a great place to savor food since it combines local cuisine with Russian and Asian influences. The Echpochmak, a triangular pie, the Chak-chak, a sweet soft dough, and the Koymak, a kind of pancake, are its highlights. We had lunch on a beautiful terrace in  Tatarskaya Usadba . They offer delicious food, but you have to be patient with your order. If you want to try typical Tatar food, go to  Dom Tatarskoi Kulinarii . If your thing is quick, delicious, and cheap local food, go to  Dobraya Stolovaya  or  Tubatay . Finally, if you want to try something even more exotic, the  Rubai  offers delicious Uzbek food.  

Join a Local Festival

Kazan hosts numerous events and festivals all year round. Our last day was a holiday. Locals were singing and dancing to their national songs. Later we realized that we had attended the celebrations of Tatarstan national day. The city’s greatest local festival is  Sabantuy . It takes place after the crop planting and includes horse races, wrestling matches, and all kinds of singing events. If you happen to visit Kazan in February, you’ll be delighted by its  Opera Festival . If you visit in July or August, don’t forget to attend the  Kazan Jazz Festival . The concerts are held inside the Kremlin’s Pushechnyy Dvor every Thursday evening.

Explore the Rest of Tatarstan

Tatarstan’s cultural heritage is so rich that it has three Unesco World Heritage Sites. Obviously, Kazan is one of them. The other two are Bolgar and Sviyazhsk.  Bolgar  was the medieval capital of Volga Bulgaria, a state that existed between the 7th and 13th centuries. The Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex has several mosques, mausoleums, and palaces from that period. Sviyazshk , on the other hand, is a fortress from the 16th century that the Russian army used as a base during the siege of Kazan. Its most important landmark is the Assumption Cathedral.

Where to Stay in Kazan

Kazan is one of Russia’s top tourist destinations. Thus, you have several hotels to choose from. We wanted to stay on the main street, so we chose the  Shalyapin Palace Hotel . It proved a wonderful idea since the hotel is elegant, rooms are comfortable, and views over Bauman Street splendid. Another gorgeous hotel on the same street is the historic  Nogai Hotel . The large constructivist building from 1937 used to host publishers and writers. If you are still not satisfied, book a room in Kazan’s best hotel:  Kazan Palace by Tasigo . This delicately designed hotel is an art nouveau palace from the beginning of the 20th century.

Things to Do in Kazan – Photos

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Travel & Food, Itineraries & Guides, Hotel Reviews

Why You Should Add Kazan, Tatarstan to Your Trip to Russia

June 1, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Ironically enough, the city that excited me the most during my trip to Russia was neither St. Petersburg nor Moscow. Sure, I was really looking forward to seeing St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square with my own eyes and to wander around the exhibits in the Hermitage but there was something about the Tatars, a Turkic people that call parts of Russia home, that really piqued my interest.

Compared to the Orthodox Christian majority that define most of Russia, Tatarstan (a republic within the Russian Federation) has a Muslim majority. The result is a hodgepodge of cultures. You have Russian with a distinct Turkic blend and this is manifested in the bilingual signs and varied cuisine in Kazan, its capital.

As it is a bit out of the way relative to the typical Russian itinerary , most people don’t visit Tatarstan at all. But if you have a couple of extra days to spare, I wholeheartedly recommend taking the 1.5 hour or so flight to Kazan for a slice of Russia that you definitely don’t see in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Without further ado, here are the top things you can do in Kazan.

Table of Contents

Kazan Kremlin

kazan kremlin

One of the more interesting kremlins that you’ll find in Russia is the one in Kazan. The diversity of religions is nowhere more apparent here where you can find an Orthodox church sitting within the same complex as a mosque. Don’t miss a visit to the striking Kul-Sharif Mosque which I would personally count as one of the most beautiful mosques I’ve ever seen both inside and out. If you come to the Kremlin in the day, you can also walk through the walls for a fee and obtain a higher view of the complex through the observation towers.

On the opposite side of the Kremlin, you will also find the Annunciation Cathedral and the leaning Suyumbike Tower which together form a fine ensemble of richly decorated buildings. If you walk out towards the bridge (Ulitsa Dekabristov), you can appreciate the fine views of the Kremlin. Better yet, hop on the ferris wheel from the Kyrlay Theme Park on the northern side of town to snap photos of the Kremlin from a high point.

Agricultural Palace

agricultural palace kazan

Don’t be misled by the name, the Agricultural Palace is a government building so it’s not really open to the public. It is listed here due to its highly instagrammable nature. You’ll find the curved angles of the building highly picturesque. A popular spot to take photos is from the small hill beside the palace itself.

National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan

national museum of the republic of tatarstan

Situated just outside the Kazan Kremlin, the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan is housed in a grand 18th century European style building. Inside, you’ll find Tatar arts and craft including fine jewellry and weapons used by the Tatar people.

St. Peter and Paul Cathedral

st. peter and paul cathedral kazan

Despite the many churches you’ll find scattered throughout Russia, a visit to the beautiful St. Peter and Paul Cathedral is highly recommended for its Naryshkin-style Baroque decor. Look closely at the windows of this 17th century church and you’ll find these decorated in unique floral patterns.

Bauman Street

bell tower in bauman street

Bauman Street is Kazan’s main shopping street and is busy in the day and floodlit at night. There is a good mix of shops and restaurants here. Despite being the tourist center of the city, the pedestrian-only street is refreshingly devoid of the tour groups that you encounter in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Towards the end, you will encounter the Epiphany Cathedral’s Bell Tower , a 74 meter high structure that you can climb for views.

Old Tatar Village

architecture in the old tatar village

One of the more charming areas in the city marks the spot where ethnic Tatars were forced to stay following the siege of Kazan in 1552. There are not a lot of old buildings left here but the ones that remain date from the 17th or 18th centuries and highly instagrammable with distinctive colorful patterns. The most prominent structures in the area are the Mardzhani Mosque  and the Apanaev Mosque one block away. If you walk towards the side of the lake, you’ll encounter this kitschy restaurant serving Tatar cuisine – Tatarskaya Usadba . My favorites are the nourishing soups and stews that go well especially during cold days. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also try the horse meat which is cooked in a variety of ways.

Getting Here: Ulitsa Kayuma Nasyri is where the bulk of the older buildings are situated.

Temple of All Religions

temple of all religions

I visited the Temple of All Religions a month after it was razed by fire. Although the exterior is mostly intact, the inside was heavily damaged. There is no admission to enter although a gatekeeper asks for donations. The highlight of the place is its numerous and colorful towers, each dedicated to a different religion. Do note that the temple is a bit out of the way. I took an UBER here and I had some difficulty getting a ride back to town. Alternatively, you can take Bus #2 from the city center.

Where to Eat in Kazan

salmon tartare

Priyut Kholostyaka – Come here for variety. This restaurant has a wide range of Russian as well as European dishes and you can order from the iPads – they have an English menu as well.

Restaurant Hemingway – upscale restaurant located in the Bauman Street area. Excellent service and authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

Tatarskaya Usadba -It may look kitschy from the outside but the food is quite delicious. Come here for the warm Tatar atmosphere.

Where to Stay in Kazan

Frequently cited as the best hotel in Kazan, the Ramada Kazan City Center is located near some trendy restaurants and just two blocks away from TSUM Department Store. Rooms are spacious and the breakfast has relatively good variety for its price.

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Hi, my name is Bino and I started I Wander around 15 years ago with the aim of sharing about some of my personal journeys and experiences, hoping that the information may benefit readers like yourselves. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Alternatively, you can also email me at b i n o (at) iwandered.net. You can follow I Wander on Facebook , Telegram , or Instagram . Also, if you liked this article, please feel free to SHARE or RETWEET

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10 things you must do in Kazan

Kul Sharif Mosque in Kazan

Kazan (800 km southeast of Moscow), the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of Russia's oldest cities (founded in 1005), is full of sights, beautiful streets, and cozy parks. As for Tatar cuisine, it deserves special attention. If you happen to be in Kazan for a day or two, our must-see & must-do guide will make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

1. Immerse yourself in the Middle Ages in the Kremlin

Many Russian cities started with the construction of a kremlin and Kazan is no exception. This is where you should start your tour of the city. It’s the oldest building in the city and was rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century on Ivan the Terrible's orders. Postnik Yakovlev and Ivan Shiryai, the architects responsible for one of Moscow’s most iconic symbols - St. Basil's Cathedral - were involved in the construction of the fortress.

2. Don’t let Söyembikä Tower topple

According to legend, the tower is named after the only woman to rule the Kazan Khanate. Ivan the Terrible heard of Söyembikä's beauty and proposed to her, but she turned him down - so the Russian tsar threatened to raze Kazan to the ground. Söyembikä had to agree to marry him, but in return she asked for an unusual wedding present: A seven-storey tower to be built in seven days . Her desire was fulfilled and the tower was built one floor a day. On day seven the tower was completed and the wedding feast started. During the celebration Söyembikä climbed the tower and threw herself off it.

It’s situated in the grounds of the Kazan Kremlin. Its height is 58 meters and as of today it leans by two meters, like the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

3. Visit Kul Sharif Mosque

The main mosque of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of the city's most beautiful buildings is also located in the grounds of the Kremlin. A mosque stood on the site back in ancient times but was destroyed during the seizure of Kazan in 1552. It wasn’t rebuilt until 2005 and, until the huge mosque opened in Grozny, was the biggest in Russia.

The interactive Museum of Islamic Culture at semi-basement level is also worth a visit.

4. Taste Tatar cuisine

Echpochmak, smetannik, peremyach, bokkan, and baursak - you must try these! To appreciate real homemade Tatar cuisine and a Soviet ambiance at the same time, you can go to the Tea House at 64 Bauman Street. The place is indeed reminiscent of a Soviet canteen, but the locals are fond of it and many come here for lunch.

Baursaki - a type of fried dough food

5. Admire the architecture of the Palace of Farmers

This building proudly calls itself a "palace" and attracts tourists from all over the world. The Palace of Farmers houses the Ministry of Agriculture but not all locals appreciate its splendor: Activists campaigned against the modern Baroque Revival style during its construction from 2008-10. Some people think it’s tasteless and ugly. What do you think?

6. See the sunset from Kremlin Embankment

If you go through the park adjacent to the Palace of Farmers, you'll end up on the Kremlin Embankment. The best time to come here is in the evening. And if you’re lucky, you might catch one of the most fantastic sunsets you are likely to see.

7. See Kazan at night from the other bank

The Kazan Family Center, which is also a registry office, is situated on the other side on the River Kazanka. According to legend, the name of the city comes from the word "kazan" which means a "cauldron," and the building really does resemble a big cooking pot, symbolizing abundance and fertility. Along its perimeter the Kazan Center is guarded by winged leopards and Zilant dragons. Thirty-two meters up on the eighth floor there’s a platform that offers a panoramic view of the city's historic part. The view is particularly beautiful after sunset: All of the Kremlin buildings and the embankment are illuminated and the lights are reflected in the river.

8. Visit Sviyazhsk Island

Sviyazhsk (58 km from Kazan) is often described as a place with powerful energy. In actual fact, it is not quite an island - a thin isthmus with an road connects it to the mainland. Nowadays Sviyazhsk has become one of Tatarstan's main tourist attractions, not only because of its natural beauty but also thanks to its historical importance: The town, built in the mid-16th century, has largely retained its original appearance. On an area 1.5 km x 0.5 km there are about 10 historical and architectural monuments, and the Assumption Monastery of Sviyazhsk has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

9. Ride the metro

The Kazan underground is very small - one line and 10 stations - but in beauty it is well nigh on a par with the legendary Moscow Metro thanks to its unique frescoes and mosaics on the walls, stained-glass windows, and huge amount of marble in its cladding. By the way, the tokens that are used for travel on the underground are also available as souvenirs.

10. Buy chak-chak

Don't forget to indulge yourself, your friends, and family, and buy the traditional Tatar delicacy chak-chak. It’s a national Tatar and Bashkir dish made from pastry with honey. You can buy it in many small shops around the city.

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thesis of definition

Kazan, Russia

Tours, Attractions and Things To Do in Kazan

Kazan – “russia’s third capital”.

Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and major port on the left bank of the Volga. It is one of the largest political, economic, educational, industrial, commercial and tourist centers of Russia.

Like any other city, Kazan has its own rich history. The city was founded as an advanced post in the northern part of Volgian Bulgaria more than a thousand years ago. In the XIII-XIV centuries it became the main political and commercial center of the Golden Horde. It was a period of rise of Kazan, favored by its advantageous geographic position on the intersection of major trading roads connecting the West and the East. In 1438 Ulu-Muhammad-khan from Golden Horde occupied the Bulgar fortress and the city became the capital of the Kazan khanate. Kazan established commercial relations with Turkey, Moscow, Crimea and other regions, but a chain of wars with the Grand Duchy of Moscow (Muscovy) eventually ended by occupation of the city by the troops of Ivan the Terrible in 1552. It was the time when Kazan’s trans-cultural formation began, since the city was weaved from two cultures: Orthodox and Islam.

Modern Kazan, as before, is one of the Russia’s centers of multinational culture. The interpenetration of the western and eastern mentality in Kazan creates an original independent communicational culture, which can be met only here. More than 115 nationalities live in Kazan, though the Tatars and Russians account for the major part of the city’s population.

Nowadays Kazan inspires tourists (almost a million a year) from all over the world to seek new cultural discoveries. The Kazan Kremlin, the city’s “visiting card” stands out from the city’s numerous landmarks. This ancient architectural complex of historical, architectural and archeological monuments is under UNESCO protection. The construction of the Kazan Kremlin began in the XVI century by order of the Tsar Ivan the Terrible, while the formation of the architectural complex itself has been continued up to date. The territory of the Kazan Kremlin includes 8 towers, each of which is an original independent sight. Some of the towers are as high as 58 meters. The complex also includes the Cathedral of the Annunciation, built in the XVI century, Monastery of Transfiguration and the main Juma Mosque of the Republic of Tatarstan – Kul-Sharif which was opened in year 2005, timed to the thousandth anniversary of Kazan. It is an interesting fact that the mosque’s appearance and structure were reconstructed after an external architectural character of the legendary multi-minaret mosque of the Kazan Khanate’s capital, demolished by order of Ivan the Terrible in 1552. There is also the Islam Museum and world-known St. Petersburg Hermitage branch “Hermitage Kazan” in the territory of the Kazan Kremlin.

Another sights of Kazan is one of the most beautiful and crowded streets - Bauman street or as it is also called the “Kazan Arbat“. This ancient “four-century” long street is a concentration of a great number of various architectural sights and just interesting tourist places. There are a large quantity of cafes and restaurants, boutiques and entertainment centers and of course a lot of architectural sights beginning from the Russian Drama Theatre named after Kachalov and ending with the Theophany Church Bell Tower, and also the well-known Kazan Hotel which once sheltered numerous famous guests such as Maxim Gorky, Fyodor Chaliapin and so on.

The symbol of the city’s modern architecture is the entertainment complex “The Pyramid” which hosts Russia- and world-level official cultural, public and sports events. There, by existing tradition, KAZANSUMMIT, the annual Islam Business and Finance Summit is held, which brings together representatives of foreign financial institutions: top-managers, investors, businessmen, scientists, analytics and other experts of financial sector.

Attractions

Miscellaneous.