Market News
The no. of Russian overnights in Bavaria, Germany, reached half a million in 2011, a 27% increase in over-night stays, while total arrivals from Russia to Bavaria increased by 31% or 222,000 pax in 2011.This makes Russia the 7th most important source market, up from 10th place and overtaking Spain and France in terms of importance. In response to this, Germany has opened a series of new German visa centers across Russia in Moscow, St-Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Ekaterinburg and Novosibirsk, another 5 are planned to open shortly. Munich in particular has seen the launch of numerous new direct flights and charters from regional Russian cities.
Spain received 900,000 Russian arrivals in 2011, and expects to meet the one million mark in 2012. The Spanish Embassy in Moscow issued 670,000 visas in 2011, a 52% increase compared to 2010. This is partly due to the increase in the number of visa centres around Russia, which has opened up Spain to the large cities that previously had to apply through Mosow, but also the issuing of multiple entry visas has stimulated repeat business.
Montenegro received 244,000 Russians in 2011, a 63% increase since 2010. The average length of stay for Russians at Montenegro resorts is 7 nights, with total of 1.7 million overnights in 2010, a 47% increase in overnight stays compared with last year.
350,000 Russians visited Finland during the New Year Holidays (Dec 24 - Jan 13), spending 200 million EUR. In 2011, a total of over one million visas were issued by Finland, but the majority of them are from neighboring St-Petersburg and many of them go for there for a shopping weekend or a short stay. Helsinki is also an important transit hub for many in the North-West Russia.
427,000 Russians visited the Czech Republic in 2011, which makes Russia the 2nd source market for this destination after Germany. However, Russians spend more nights per trip, with an average of six days stay. The Czech Consulate in Moscow issued a record number of visas in 2011, 280,000 visas, an increase of 22% and the largest number for more than 12 years. In 2012, the Czech Rep. opened more visa centers across Russia.
Greece received 650,000 Russian tourists in first 11 months of 2011. Russian tour operators selling Greece believe that this figure will surpass a million in 2012 due to the popularity of the destination. Greece has benefitted from the simplified the visa regime for the Russians and the introduction of multi-entry visas for 6-9 months to those who already visited Greece. Aegean Airlines, which has replaced the previously bankrupt state airline Olympic, increased their flights to Russia in 2010 and changed the seasonal flight between Moscow and Athens into a regular flight. They plan to further increase the flights by 15% increase in 2012, and will fly to Greece from Moscow, St-Petersburg, Kazan and Rostov-on-Don.
Over 70,000 Russians in 2011 visited Cuba, a 40% increase. Along with Argentina, this is the biggest growth of all source markets for Cuba. In 2012, Cuba expects to receive 90,000 Russians.
The Dominican Republic is however fast catching up and has probably overtaken Cuba. They received 51,000 Russians in the first 6 months of 2011, a 60% increase compared to the same period of last year. The total figure for 2011 are forecasted to be over 100,000. As a visa free destination, this country is a hit during the Russian winter and the increasing number of charters and flights with Transaero, making it very accessible. In 2011, both Cuba and the Dominican Republic provided alternative options to Egypt, which lost over 40% of Russian traffic due to the political situation in the country.
In January 2012, Russia and Japan signed a mutual agreement on simplifying the visa regime for their citizens. The agreement will concern both leisure and business visas for the Russians. However, it is not clear yet when the new rules will come into power. According to JNTO, Japan received 34,000 Russian tourists in 2011, which was less than in 2010. However, this trend is likely to reverse with the resumption of direct flight from St-Petersburg to Tokyo beginning the summer of 2012 by Transaero Airlines.