Market News

New destinations for Anex Tour

Anex Tour expects their business to Turkey by the end of 2011 to increase by 35% from Moscow and by 10% from regional cities. The Turkish Ministry of Tourism expects the total of 4 million Russians to visit Turkey in 2011, a million more than in 2010. Anex also announced some new destinations for 2012: Andorra, Austria, Italy, UAE, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. In 2010-2011, Anex that was traditionally selling only Egypt and Turkey, also added Spain, Croatia and Thailand to its offer.

Intourist to start selling the UAE

Intourist plans to launch UAE as a new winter destination. The company that recently created a joint venture with Thomas Cook, will start charter programs to Dubai from a no. of cities across Russian including: Moscow, St-Petersburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Krasnodar, as well as Ufa and Voronezh during the peak winter season.

Russian Express to open its own retail

Russian Express plans to open 5 retail offices under its own franchising by the end of 2011. The franchising project will be headed by Ruben Acosta, who formerly worked on the same projects for VKO Travel.

Destinations News

  • The Greek Tourism Ministry reported that during the first 6 months of 2011, there was a 58% increase in the number of visas issued to Russians. To further encourage the growth to Greece, they plan to speed up the visa process with the aim of issuing visas within 24 hours and introduce multiple entry visas for Russians who already visited Greece at least once. Crete is the most popular destination in Greece.
  • The Italian Embassy reported a 40% growth in visas issued to Russians during the first quarter of 2011. The Embassy estimate that up to 700,000 Russians will visit Italy in 2011.
  • In 2010, 223,000 Russians visited France, and further positive growth rates are expected based on the first quarter results for 2011, when 57,000 Russians visited France. France also plans to issue 5-year multi entry visas to well travelled Russians, to make the country more accessible.
  • Finland expects Russian traffic to grow by 15% in 2011. 1.5 million Russians travelled to Finland last year. However up to 80% of visitors came from St-Petersburg and North-West of Russia, where Finland is a short drive away, also 40% of all Russian visitors visit Finland for a day visit, mainly for shopping purposes.
  • Spain expects to receive between 800,000 and 900,000 Russian travelers in 2011, a substantial increase on 2010's figures (605,000 visitors). The Spanish Consulate reported an increase of 53% in arrivals during the first 4 months of 2011. There is 73% increase in direct flights (mainly charters) from Russia and Spain from June-October 2011.

Many countries have simplified their visa regime for Russians

stampIndia, Ireland and Peru have all simplified their visa regimes for Russians. India will now issue one year business visas for business travelers instead of previously 6 months, and for 6 months for leisure travelers (previously for 1 or 3 months). As of July this year, Ireland will become more accessible to Russians. Russians with UK visas will automatically have access to Ireland without applying for an additional visa. This program will be valid until the end of October, 2012. As of June 2011, Peru has removed the visas for the Russians, wishing the country for less than 90 days.

On the other hand, Croatia will introduce visa for Russians as of 2013, as it enters the European Union and the Schengen zone. Russian tour operators selling Croatia expect the destination to remain popular, although there will be a decline in the last minute bookers and FIT traveler segments. 165,000 Russians visited Croatia in 2010, with more than 50% going to Istria, while 19% went to Dalmatia and Split and 18% to Dubrovnik.

Mexican NTO to open office in Moscow

In line with the growing demand for Mexico in the Russian market, the country plans to open a Representative office in Moscow by the end of 2011. In 2010, Mexico simplified its visa regime for Russians and as a result more than 27,000 Russians visited Mexico. In the winter season 2011-2012, the traffic is expected to increase due to the new direct flight by Aeroflot from Moscow to Cancun, which is the second direct flight from Russia to Mexico, as Transaero already flies to this destination.