Russian tourists discover Middle East
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by Sergei Shpilko, (President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry) Novosti Press 19 April, 2004
Almost every country that promotes its tourist industry is expecting a considerable increase in the number of holidaymakers
from Russia. Last year, the figure grew more than 500,000 compared to 2002 and by nearly 1,500,000 as against 2001.
Tourism to foreign shores is enjoying a boom in Russia, which is due to economic stability, growing incomes and consumer opportunities and the tourist industry's smooth running. It has emerged as one of the most dynamically developing sectors in Russia over the past few years.
Turkey continues to attract the greatest number of Russian tourists, as more than 1,000,000 of them visited the country in 2003. In the same year, Russia occupied a third place in terms of the number of tourists that visited Egypt. According to Egypt's tourism ministry, 586,000 travellers from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) visited the country last year, which is up 30% compared to 2002. Indeed, as many as 145,000 Russians visited Egypt in January and February 2004 alone. This is a 50% cent increase compared to the same period last year.
The United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and Tunisia also continue to be highly popular destinations. According to Russia's frontier service, the tourist flow to Tunisia rocketed by 169% in 2003.
The secret of these countries' popularity is easy to explain. Tourists do not have visa problems in these countries, which also pursue flexible price policies and promptly react to tourists' demands. They also continuously improve tourist products and services to meet their guests' wishes.
Modern beach tourists from Russia differ a great deal from Russian holidaymakers in the mid 1990s. Russian travellers of that time were not particularly demanding and came for the warm sea, clean and comfortable beaches and affordable 3- or 4-star hotels. Russians have become more sophisticated and demanding travellers since then. Comfort alone is no longer enough.
Russians meticulously select a package deal as if they are buying a sophisticated household appliance. They inquire about their hotel's line, a view from the window, diving fees, car rental charges and a whole lot more.
Russian tourists as wild, arrogant troublemakers is a stereotype of the 1990s, and is becoming history. The boorish nouveaux riches are now being replaced with Russians who look and behave increasingly like Europeans.
Host countries stand to gain from heeding Russian visitors' interests. Russian tourists spend a minimum of $500 a week on services, amusements and souvenirs, without even mentioning ticket and accommodation expenses, which is more than the average amount of money spent by tourists from developed countries.
The Russians are especially fond of Sharm al Sheikh, where the Russian language is no longer a rarity, and Hurgada in Egypt, and Kemer in Turkey.
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Having an ice time
Ancient tools and weapons found in the Artic suggest humans populated the area in the Ice Age, twice as early as previously thought. (12/01/2004)
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