RUSSIAN 1 INTERNATIONAL 2 TRAVEL MONITOR 2013 Methodology
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RUSSIAN 1 INTERNATIONAL 2 TRAVEL MONITOR 2013 Methodology For the Russian International Finland, France, Georgia, Ger- Travel Monitor, Hotels.com many, Hong Kong, India, Ire- carried out a global survey, land, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, canvassing the views of Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, more than 2,500 hotel part- Netherlands, New Zealand, ners during June 2013 across Norway, Singapore, Spain, all star ratings. Responses Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, were received from Argen- Tajikistan, Thailand, UAE, UK, tina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, USA and Uzbekistan. Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, 0 1 1 3 2 6 Introduction Market overview Visa requirements for Russian travellers 3 7 4 13 5 15 The Russian Traveller Hotel hotspots for Where Russian Russian travellers travellers go 1 2 6 17 7 19 8 25 Where Russian Country initiatives About Hotels.com travellers spend the most 9 26 10 27 How Hotels.com For further is adapting to the information Russian market 1 Johan Svanström, President, Hotels.com Until fairly recently, Russian as their spending power travellers this year while citizens would take their increases. According to Germany and Spain have holidays almost exclusively Euromonitor International, cut the time it takes for within the Eastern bloc and by 2017, nearly 40 per cent of visas to be issued. Airlines were banned from travelling Russians will have an annual are adding new routes, with further afield. How the world income of US$25,000. As the low-cost market on the has changed. Now the the middle class grows, their increase as Wizz Air enters Russian outbound market language skills are improving the Russian market, although is one of the world’s fastest and they are increasingly airport infrastructure issues growing markets with huge, comfortable with trying out are currently limiting faster relatively underdeveloped local experiences and new expansion in the short-term. potential. destinations. The majority 2 are already booking their Hoteliers are generally This is the first Hotels.com® travel online, generally within responding well, with many Russian International Travel a month of travel, and they already adapting their Monitor and it takes a look would prefer more help with services and products to as this phenomenon from Russian language materials make Russian travellers feel the perspective of hoteliers and speakers on arrival at more welcome, recognising around the world, to see how their chosen hotel. that growth is for the long- they are reacting to a rapidly term. Comments from the changing tourism scene Tourist boards are already hoteliers are positive, with and to show how they can flexing their muscles to many acknowledging that benefit most from this new tap into this new market Russians make polite and opportunity. We surveyed – 2013 is Russia-Holland friendly guests. hoteliers around the world Friendship Year and also from Argentina to Uzbekistan the Year of Italy Tourism in We hope you enjoy reading representing all star ratings Russia, to name but a few the report and welcome your to collect their views on this of the marketing initiatives feedback. We look forward to topic and these form the underway. Governments are hearing from you. basis of this report. jumping on the bandwagon by relaxing visa requirements We found that Russian or streamlining application international travellers are processes – for instance, becoming more confident Jamaica and Fiji have both and independent, particularly become visa-free for Russian 1. Market overview Sleeping giant Many Russians still do According to the European not have an international Travel Commission, passport. However, with a 35.7 million tourists from population of more than Russia took a foreign trip in 140 million, there is still a 2012, up from just 7.7 million huge untapped market for in 2006. The country has foreign travel that will create become a top performing demand for different types of growth market for many holiday and new destinations destinations and international that are bound to make an outbound travel is forecast to impact on the pattern of grow by 7.5 per cent per year world tourism. on average to 2017. International hoteliers Powered by political stability, already have considerable rising average annual experience of this incomes and a growing development with 49 per middle class, spending cent seeing an increase abroad has also increased, in the number of Russian with overseas travellers from travellers at their properties. Russia seeing an increase Of these, 32 per cent in spending of 32 per cent experienced an 11-25 per cent in 2012 to US$43 billion. This increase and 14 per cent an 3 moved the country from impressive 26-50 per cent seventh to fifth place in rise. Ninety-two per cent the ranking of international expect to see this growth tourism spend, as tracked continue over the next by the United Nations three years. World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Percentage of growth in the number of Russian travellers, as reported by hoteliers Burj Khalifa - Dubai, United Arab Emirates 4 Santa Maria della Salute - Venice, Italy Venice, - Salute della Santa Maria Infrastructure issues force governing items such hamper growth as the provision of non- Russia is a complex country, refundable tickets, meals the largest in the world by on board and baggage fees. landmass, covering nine However, this is likely to different time zones with the change in 2014 as the state- two world cities of Moscow owned carrier Aeroflot has (Population: 11.5 million) and announced plans to launch 5 St Petersburg (Population: its own LCC called Dobrolet, 4.8 million) plus 13 other once these restrictions are major cities with a population liftedii. of more than a million. More than 70 per cent of the New routes are being added population lives in an urban by scheduled and charter areai. Most international operators such as Wizz Air flights currently operate from Moscow to Budapest, from Moscow, with only a hoping also to introduce limited number elsewhere, flights to the Hungarian and much of the population capital from St Petersburg. travels on holiday by train. Transaero Airlines now has the right to operate seven Infrastructure improvements scheduled flights a week in the country, such as the from Moscow to Antalya and modernisation of the airports Istanbul in Turkey and Aigle to eliminate current capacity Azure launched Moscow-Nice limits, will help relieve this service four times a week issue in the longer term. in May 2013. Compared to other countries, i Source: World Bank the number of international ii Source: http://www.aeroflot.ru/cms/en/ new/33423, retrieved 29th October 2013 low-cost air carriers (LCCs) is still quite low as legal restrictions are currently in 2. Visa requirements Another major trend fanning their own tourist industries. the flames of the desire to Many countries already offer for Russian travellers travel is the simplification in visa-free access for Russian the visa process offered by a travellers, particularly in Latin growing number of countries America including Brazil and which have recognised Argentina. More information the value of attracting of the initiatives to attract an increasing number of more Russian custom can Russian travellers to bolster be found on page 19. Visa requirements for Russian travellers 6 Russia Countries that Russians can enter with national and international passports Visa free or visa issued upon arrival (only international passports are allowed) Visa upon arrival (or on the boundary). A visa fee is charged. In some countries. Pre-registration online or photos for a visa are needed Countries where apart from paying the visa fee additional documents are required (for example, in Africa - certificates of vaccination against yellow fever), invitations or special rules apply for the visa on arrival Countries where Russians are allowed to pass the border control in transit or to leave an airport area for a while Countries of the Schengen zone, as well as other countries, permitting stay with a visa Countries where visa regime will soon be cancelled or will be substantially simplified Other countries that require a visa upon arrival Origianal data: Tournet.ru, Source: http://ru.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Визовые_требования_для_граждан_России 3. The Russian Traveller With an average 40 days, Reason for travel Russians have more paid Hoteliers said that 62 per and public holidays than cent of their Russian guests most other countries globally. travel for leisure, 18 per cent Popular travel times for travel on business and 20 per cent abroad include the winter a combination of the two. break from 31st December to 9th January and 1st to Length of stay 9th May period. There is Reflecting the fact that a long summer break as many enjoy sightseeing on schools are on holiday from their trips, Russian travellers 1st June until 1st September. typically make relatively August is traditionally the short stays, with 50 per cent most popular time for family stopping for 2-3 nights, 34 per holidays. cent taking a longer 4-9 night break and seven per cent Neighbouring countries to choosing 10 nights or more. Russia currently attract the highest number of visitors Travelling companions but this is changing as A spouse or partner is by far Russian travellers become the most popular companion more self-assured. Forty- when taking a trip abroad, three per cent of hoteliers with 32 per cent choosing 7 commented on the fact that this option, followed by 19 per Russians are now spending cent travelling with friends. more money on their travels, Only seven per cent journey 25 per cent remarked that alone. they are showing much more confidence and 24 per Hoteliers also acknowledged cent said they are now much that they had seen a more better at speaking the local than 20 per cent rise in language or English as an each of the categories of alternative.