According to many leading tour operators, the Russian travel market is in full recovery, with charters from both Moscow and regional charters in high demand, even though a higher proportion of bookings are still last minute. Another positive piece of news is the rationalisation of the number of travel exhibition in Moscow. In the autumn of 2010, there will be only one Leisure exhibition and the rumour is that only MITT will take place in the spring of 2011. This will be a big relief for everyone concerned, as two exhibitions in the spring and two in the autumn was unsustainable in the medium term, for both NTO's or TO's alike. The increase of online bookings in Russia anyway means that the importance of travel exhibitions will decline and everyone will have to become a lot more active online, instead of just signing up for a calendar of travel exhibitions, many of them in effective in terms of their ROI.
Best regards,
Helene Lloyd
Director
TMI Consultancy
Russia is the 2nd source market for Turkey
According to the Turkish Tourism Ministry, visits to Turkey have increase by 33% more during the first 5 months of 2010.
Tourism to Israel increases by 60%
During January - May 2010, over 222.000 Russians visited Israel, which is 81% more than over the same period of last year.
Only one Leisure in September
The calendar of travel exhibitions in Russia is becoming more organized.
Spanair starts Moscow - Madrid route
As of June, 2010, the Spanish Airline "Spanair" started charter flights from Moscow Domodedovo Airport to Madrid on a weekly basis.
Megapolus launches charter flights to Zadar
Also from June, one of the leading Russian tour operators for Croatia, Megapolus Tours (part of Kuoni holding), started charter flights to Zadar.
Hong Kong Airlines starts flying to Moscow
In Mid June, Hong Kong Airlines started direct flights from Moscow to Hong Kong.
7th flight a week from Moscow to Lisbon by TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal is adding one more flight from Moscow to Lisbon, making it a daily flight as of July, 2010.
50% increase of visas to Spain
Tour Espana, the Spanish national tourism board, reports a 50% increase in the visas issued for the Russian tourists during the first 5 months of 2010.
More FIT travel and online booking
According to the survey by the Russian public opinion research center Comcon, 26% of Russians prefer Egypt as a holiday destination.
NTO's increase their budgets for Russia
MICE Market
Organizers of the International Annual MICE workshop in Moscow have published their latest statistics.