Yearly tourist flow/ stream from Russia dropped the first time in the last 7 years

The economic crisis deprived those 1 mln. 758,5 thousands Russian people an opportunity to spend a holiday abroad who could afford it in 2008. According to Rosstat data, the outcoming tourist flow from Russia decreased by на 15,5% last year.

This index was a bit higher (19,6%) at the time of 1998 crisis. The lessening of departures went up to 15,7% in 1999. The jubilee year of 2000 compensated all the losses and demonstrated an outstanding splash / increase of 60% in tourist flow. The followed small reduction of 6,5% can be taken as conformity to natural laws in 2001. Further, from 2002 on года, the number of leisure trips from Russia was growing only. Otherwise, the tourist flow incurred such serious losses first in the last 7 years.

It is only one third of 30 most popular destinations that showed positive dynamics in 2009 году. Israel leads in these 30 ones (+36,5%). The country demonstrates an active growth from the first half of 2008 года, as we have stated once and again.

To our surprise the second place occupies Dominican Republic (+29%). However country stood out against the common market background of 2009. The flexible position of local hotels and charter transportation let Dominican Republic match the price of expensive version of European tours. As a result the tourist preferred long flights to the warm climate and excellent all inclusive to closer excursion trips in winter. By the way, please pay attention to the dynamics of this destination: 2006 – growth of 32% , 2007 – growth of 89,4%, 2008 – growth of 143%. So should the Haiti earthquake didn’t provoke the loss in demand, the result of 2009 could be even higher.

The third leader is USA (+28,6%). In the long run of year the low rate of exchange “US Dollar - Euro”, special offers of hotels and airlines have also made the price of USA tours closer to European ones. At the same time the American Consulate regulated the procedure of visa obtaining so that it is drawn up now without any problem. Strange as it might seem, the ban of Russian gambling-houses helped to increase the demand because our compatriots got more interested in trips to venture-some Las Vegas.

Despite the crisis the stable Switzerland (+28,2%) kept on attracting tourists all last year long. It can be attributed to a serious budget on promoting the country in Russia, active campaign on leisure in summer, fighting the stereotype image of a very expensive country, Swiss quality of service. All this resulted in 95% of returning tourists.

Montenegro (+27,8%) put out its tongue at Croatia (-36,8%). The Croatian resorts paid for its obstinacy having no wish to reduce their rates in hard crisis months.

Еgypt (+13%) keeps on competing with Turkey (-11%) and wins obviously. The situation is analogical to the Croatian one. The Turkish hotels were also waiting for tourists to come despite everything for quite a time and didn’t reduce the rates. When they recollected suddenly late in summer, the season was coming to an end. By the way, according to absolute figures Egypt is treading on Turkey’s heels.In 2008 Egypt welcomed 781,6 thousands of Russian tourists less than Turkey, and 351,3 thousands less in the total of 2009.

China occupies the first place (-51,5%) amongst the countries that lost Russian tourist flow. The country moved to the 3^rd place in the departures’ rating and let Egypt have the 2^nd place. You will recall that the point is not the crisis only. The main reason is toughening of customs’ rules for importing goods to Russia and subsequent reduction of cheap shopping trips from Far East to China.

We shall now highlight the position of Bulgaria that occupies the very last line in the list of countries that have demonstrated negative dynamics. The sales on this area were difficult throughout the year, but the figures could be far worse without joint resistance of state and tourism authorities of the both countries to the crisis circumstances. Bulgaria took upon itself the payment for the visa centers’ services in Russia, introduced free visas for children younger than 12 y.oю. Russian touroperators presented visas, excursions, SPA services to tourists while the resorts’ hotels added €35-vouchers to be used in hotels’ bars, SPA centers or casino to their special offers. As a result the country lost practically nothing – 0,05% of Russian tourist flow.

Departures of Russian citizens

abroad for tourist in 2009 г.

(thousands of trips)