Russian Outbound Travel Market Going Fast

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 percent 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 percent) 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.

Neighboring countries, such as Finland, China, Poland and the Baltic States, attract a significant share of Russian outbound travelers although, as is the case with those traveling to CIS destinations.

Since 2000, there have been very mixed performances from one destination to another. Poland, for example –a favorite 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-and-sand 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.