REPORT – ITB 2006, BERLIN: The subject of one of the ITB Convention’s many workshops and seminars this year, Russia is a particularly exciting topic as it has been one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in…
REPORT – ITB 2006, BERLIN: The subject of one of the ITB Convention’s many workshops and seminars this year, Russia is a particularly exciting topic as it has been one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in the last couple of years. In 2004, thanks to a 22% increase in spending, according to World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) statistics, it rose to ninth position in UNWTO’s world spenders’ ranking. And preliminary estimates for 2005 (+11%) suggest the market may have climbed another rung in the ladder.
Since the financial crisis of 1998, the Russian outbound travel market has recorded consistent annual increases, reaching a total of 24.5 million trips in 2004. If same-day trips, trips not strictly termed ‘tourist trips’, and travel to countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are excluded from the count, the growth has been even stronger. This is reflected in the number of intrepid Russian travellers increasingly seen in all top tourism destinations around the world.
Neighbouring countries, such as Finland, China, Poland and the Baltic States, attract a significant share of Russian outbound travellers although – as is the case with those travelling to CIS destinations – many of their trips are for shuttle trading or simply shopping.
Since 2000, there have been very mixed performances from one destination to another. Poland, for example – a favourite for small traders – has lost significant share, and the trend is likely to continue since Russians have needed visas for Poland since it joined the European Union in May 2004.
Sun & beach destinations have been the big winners over the past few years, with Turkey and Egypt the most successful of a constantly growing choice of options. But Asia has also seen a significant share of the growth – helped, no doubt, by many Asian countries’ liberal visa requirements for Russians. And Europe is still high up the Russians’ wish list – whether for sun & beach, culture, or simply the bright lights and other attractions of the big cities.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
