Russian Travel Monitor

Welcome to the first electronic version of the Russian Travel Monitor.

The Russian Travel Monitor was first published in 1998 but with increases in printing and postal costs the print version last appeared in July 2000. The new e-Russian Travel Monitor will be published monthly and some past issues will be available in our archives.

Our aim is to keep our readers advised on the developments, changes and opportunities available on the Russian and Ukrainian travel markets.

Tourism from Russia has become an important economic factor for many economies and the size of the exhibitions in Moscow and Kiev indicate the immense potential of this market.

I do hope that you enjoy reading RTM. Should you have any suggestions or ideas we would be pleased to receive your messages.

Editor

With Tourism organisations from around the world preparing for the MITT Exhibition in Moscow all prognosis indicate a massive increase in business from Russia this summer with Russian tourism on its schedule to occupy 10th place worldwide by the year 2010.

Resorts in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Spain have all reported substantial increases in the number of requests from Russian Travel Companies. Interest in Long-Haul, up-market destinations is also increasing with many travel companies now concentrating on this important sector.

Winter Sun and Ski Resorts have registered a significant increase in the number of arrivals through the winter months.

The expected massive attendance at the exhibition is a further indication that this market is growing rapidly.

Delegates from around the world gathered in Moscow for the Moscow International Summer Workshop on February 22nd. The International participants enjoyed a record attendance at this event. As part of it's plan to introduce new and innovative ideas, the organisers also invited leading buyers from many Moscow businesses. "This is an interesting development that brought our International partners in direct contact with many Companies and will lead to opportunities of Corporate business"

The workshop also returned to it's original location at the Marco Polo Presnja Hotel, "we prefer this venue due to the homely, club like atmosphere of this hotel" The next workshop, The Moscow International Winter Workshop will be held in Moscow on September 6th.

On March 28th the Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition will open it's doors for the 8th time and many Tourism experts from around the world will descend on Moscow for this important event. First established in 1994 the MITT Exhibition quickly established itself as one of the World's major tourism events.

MITT will be the highlight of a week focusing on the tourism industry in Russia, welcoming some 100 countries and regions from around the world, presenting major tourism products and services to the key trade and consumer visitors who flock to this event every year.

After a successful 2000 edition and a marked improvement in this year's outbound figures for Russian tourism many companies are taking advantage of MITT to showcase their products and services to an ever-attentive audience. Several exhibitors have increased their presence at MITT 2001 and new country delegations from Jordan, South Africa, Chile, Indonesia and Belgium, amongst others, have also joined the event this year for the first time. The ability to still attract significant new attendance is testimony to the continued development and increase in the Russian tourism market.

The UITT2001 Ukraine International Travel & Tourism Exhibition will take place in Kiev 04-07 April and will bring together more key players from the industry that ever before.

Once again a strong participation from destinations around the world will be a key attraction as Tourism professionals tap into the strong development of this market. Many of established UITT exhibitors will be joined this year by national stands from France and Singapore.

The programme of events at UITT2001 includes a number of official functions in addition to a number of seminars and conferences held by exhibitors.

The strong presence of local and International exhibitors and the increasingly high profile of the event, reinforces it's reputation as the key travel trade event for the region and its place as an integral part of the exciting development of the potential of this market. "I have been delighted by the progress of UITT over the past year and I am confident that the 2001 event will prove just how much the Ukrainian market has to offer the travel industry" says David Hammond, Director ITE Travel Exhibitions.

RTM will participate at this event and a full report will be included in our next edition.

According to press reports, Transaero and Taiwan's China Airlines will open a direct flight between Moscow and Taipei from October with a weekly flight. 120-170 seats per week will initially be available, increasing to over 500 in a short time. Travel companies have responded with encouragement and local operators can expect an increase of Russian clients to this region.

Representatives from Bahrain are to sign an agreement of mutual economic co-operation in Moscow during their March visit. Aeroflot have recently resumed regular flights to Bahrain opening vast opportunities for increased tourism between these two countries.

The Russian Ministry of Transportation has recently issued details on the regulations on charter flights from Russia to many popular summer destinations. Signed by the Deputy Transportation Minister these regulations describe the rules that will govern companies that operate charter flights. The stipulations are designed to stabilise and regulate the Russian charter market, to improve controls and to establish the responsibilities and financial security of the carriers.

On a 50 hectare plot located next to the existing terminal 2, Aeroflot General Director, Valery Okulov laid the cornerstone of the new terminal.

Expected to completed within 3 years the new terminal will be able to handle 10 million passengers a year.

Once again a very strong Russian delegation indicated that the ITB in Berlin is one of the most popular events for Russian companies. 10 Russian regions were represented indicating the increasing International interest in the regions of Russia.

GDR (Global repository receipts of Russia's leading airline, Aeroflot will soon be listed on the NEWEX Vienna exchange. The Aeroflot press service has indicated that the Aeroflot securities will be traded in the blue chips section, NX plus. Representatives of the airline indicated that this listing will significantly increase the liquidity of Aeroflot securities enabling expansion plans to be realised.

Russian officials are tying to persuade their NASA colleagues to allow the worlds first space tourist to the International space station. Russian space officials have their first client who has passed through months of training at Russia's star city. With the demise of the MIR space station Russian officials are looking for a solution. Russia's space program stands to attract considerable revenues from Space travel revenues and if the first trip was to be cancelled it would discourage other potential tourists.