Russian outbound travel market records rapidly growing interest for exotic and long haul destinations. Constantly increasing number of arrivals from Russia first of all to long haul destinations reflects the huge demand for exhibition space at Russia’s leading tourism exhibition Otdykh LEISURE, which will take place 23 – 26 September 2008 in the modern exhibition hall Crocus Expo in Moscow. The 14th edition of this traditional autumn forum will be again strongly focused on winter travel programmes for tourists from Russia.
Low temperatures and long winter holidays in Russia are the reasons for the booming interest in winter sun and exotic trips. According to the Centre for strategic research of Rosgosstrakh (Russian insurance company) outbound travel from Russia will be growing by 15% per year from 2008 to 2010 and will reach 16 million tourists in 2010. An increase up to 40% is expected first of all by exotic destinations like Brasil, Mexico, Cuba, Vietnam, Singapore etc.
Exhibitors of Otdykh LEISURE can only confirm the trend: Thailand Tourism Authority recorded 106.5 % more Russian tourists in 2007 and almost doubled its exhibition space at Otdykh LEISURE 2008; the same for Sri Lanka, where arrivals from Russia also increased by 101.1 % to 2,793 only in January 2008. The tourism authorities identified Russian as a potential market and Otdykh LEISURE 2008 as the most important event to stronger Sri Lanka’s promotion in Russia.
An enormous increase in Russian arrivals to Philippines made Philippines Authorities to implement 21 days of visa-free entry for Russians, which was officially announced at the last year edition of Otdykh LEISURE. Since then the number of tourists from the country is growing; they stay for around 3 weeks and spend more than other nationalities. As a result – stronger performance of Philippines at the show this year supported by additional activities.
Increased participation in Otdykh LEISURE 2008 is also confirmed by Australia, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and many others.
South American and Caribbean destinations have well recognized the importance of the Russian market, which conquer the region with its army of travellers who are ranked by the WTO among the top 10 spenders in the world. Cuba and Dominican Republic are among the traditional exhibitors of the show who use the convenient autumn date as a perfect meeting place before the season starts. Cuba stated 34 % increase in arrivals from Russia in 2007 and Dominican Republic plans to schedule one more flight – Moscow Punta Cana – in October.
With 120 % increase in tourist arrivals from Russia, Brazil doubled its exhibition space at the upcoming Otdykh LEISURE and plans to bring a record number of exhibiting companies. The South American area at the show will be stronger than ever, with the first participation of VENEZUELA Tourism Authority and increased participation from Argentina, Peru, Chile and Ecuador.
Organized by Euroexpo, Otdykh LEISURE is considered by the Russian travel trade as a place to meet partners and to sign contracts before the winter season. “The show has established itself as a “must exhibit” event and we are glad that our exhibitors can profit so much from participation in this event. To sell winter programmes one must be in Moscow in September, because the season in the industry starts at this exhibition”, so Ekaterina Kohlhauser, exhibition director from Euroexpo Vienna. “We invite all interested companies to register now; the show is almost sold out”.
Otdykh LEISURE is held parallel to MIBEXPO RUSSIA – Meeting industry and business travel exhibition and LUXURY Leisure exhibition. All three shows form the most global tourism event MATIW – Moscow Autumn Tourism Industry Week.
For further information please contact Ms. Ekaterina Kohlhauser from EUROEXPO Exhibitions and Congress Development GmbH at leisure@euroexpo-vienna.com or call 00 43 1 230 85 35.
www.otdykh-leisure.com
Ekaterina Kohlhauser Email: e.kohlhauser@euroexpo-vienna.com Telefon: + 43 1 230 85 35