The inbound flow of tourists to Saint Petersburg has reached six million people in 2012. Almost a half of them are foreign visitors – 10% more than in 2011. Most new tourists came from Asia and Pacific region, particularly from China – 240 thousand people.
According to the Head of Saint Petersburg Tourism Development Committee, Mr. Alexander Shapkin, the most financially potential market for the city is the Asian and Pacific Region, particularly, Gulf countries, Indonesia, China and South Korea. Europe, too, still remains a vital inbound market for Saint Petersburg: Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Finland.
Turning Saint Petersburg into an international center for congresses, summits and other major events is an important part of the city's strategic agenda of social and economic development. In 2012, Russian northern capital hosted a number of large-scale global events e. g. XVII International Economic Forum, II Legal Forum, 36th session of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee, annual spring meeting of ESM associations. In August 2013, the city is going to welcome the G20 Summit and the meeting of the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Central European department.
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