According to the Turkish Tourism Ministry, visits to Turkey have increase by 33% more during the first 5 months of 2010 compared to last year. During May and June 2010, almost half a million (453.000) Russians visited Turkey, making Russia the second largest source market for Turkey, accounting for 14% of all visitors. Germany is still the leading source market, accounting for 15% of the market, followed by the UK, which accounts for 12%. More than 50% of Russian tourists visiting Turkey, prefer to stay in 5* hotel.
During January - May 2010, over 222.000 Russians visited Israel, which is 81% more than over the same period of last year. During May, an important period for travel for the Russian market, 53.000 Russian tourists visited Israel, a 60% increase on comparative figures for May 2009. According to the Israeli Embassy in Moscow, there are over 50 flights per week now to Israel from Moscow and the main regional cities. Israeli tour operators predict the total of 320.000 Russian arrivals by the end of the year.
The calendar of travel exhibitions in Russia is becoming more organized. In September there will be only one autumn travel exhibition, called Leisure, for the past 3 years there have been 2 competing exhibitions. We are also anticipating that Intourmarket (at Crocus Expo) will no longer take place at the same time as MITT during the spring, and Russia will start to develop a normal exhibition timetable like other countries, where there is normally only 1 or 2 key exhibitions during the year.