Dear Subscriber,
The outbound travel from Russia continues to provide substantial positive growth rates, especially for traditionally popular Mediterranean destinations such as Turkey, Greece and Spain. The positive growth rates are supported by a wealth of new regular and charter flights scheduled including new flights to Tunisia, Dubai and Southern France, and budget airlines with huge expansion plans. More countries are removing or simplifying visas for Russians including Schengen destinations such as France, Greece and Austria, whilst countries like Mexico plan to increase their visibility by opening up a representative office in Moscow.
The Russian travel market continues to restructure to cope with the new market conditions, with Megapolus Tours (Kuoni) refocusing on FIT travel and dropping its charters programme, whilst the Intourist-Thomas Cook joint venture will open UAE as a new destination this winter. This is all positive news considering many of Europe’s traditional source markets do not expect large increases, making Russia an attractive new market for development.
Best regards,
Helene Lloyd
Director
TMI Consultancy
News Flash
Inna Beltukova, former director of Capital Tour, to make a come back with Inna Tour
Inna Tour, one of Russia's top 30 TOs has been sold to the Reinvest holding
Changes in Megapolus Tours
As of June 1, Megapolus Tours appointed new General Director
Feature
Where will Russians like to spend their holidays
Where they plan and where they can afford to go for holidays
Aviation News
More Turkish Airlines offices in Russia
By the end of 2011, Turkish Airlines plans to open 3 more offices in Russia
S7 will fly to Hong Kong
As of November, 2011, S7 Airlines will start new regular weekly direct flights
Tunis Air to start flights to Moscow
The new flight by Tunisair will be operated twice a week from Moscow to Cartago
Korean Air introduces Seoul - Irkutsk flight
As of June 29, 2011, Korean Air started twice weekly direct regular flights from Irkutsk to Seoul
Vueling plans to expand in Russia by 200%
The Spanish low cost carrier Vueling Airlines announced their plans to start flying from Russia to other new destinations
More carriers from Russia to Dubai
From November 2011, Emirates will start scheduled direct flights from St-Petersburg to Dubai
Air France opens Moscow - Marseille route
As of October, 2011, Air France will start scheduled direct flights from Moscow to Marseille
Market News
New destinations for Anex Tour
Anex Tour expects to increase their business to Turkey by the end of 2011
Intourist to start selling the UAE
Intourist plans to launch UAE as a new winter destination
Russian Express to open its own retail
Russian Express plans to open 5 retail offices under its own franchising by the end of 2011
Destinations News
Many countries have simplified their visa regime for Russians
India, Ireland and Peru have all simplified their visa regimes for Russians
Mexican NTO to open office in Moscow
Mexican NTO plans to open a Representative office in Moscow by the end of 2011
Hotel News
New Hotel openings in Russia and Azerbaijan
Moscow beats Baku as the most expensive city
According to HRS research (Hotel Portal's Eastern European Hotel Price Radar), Moscow hotels continue to be the most expensive accommodation in Europe
Economics News
Economics News