Ekaterina Kohlhauser, Exhibition director for Otdykh Leisure, Moscow

Leaders of the tourist industry from Latin America and the Caribbean attended again this September to the Otdykh Leisure exhibition in Moscow, which grows important every year for international destinations in sight of the rapid increase in the Russian travel market.

How important is Otdykh Leisure for Caribbean countries?
Otdykh Leisure is traditionally a very important exhibition for Latin American and Caribbean destinations and for all exotic destinations, because Russian tourists use to travel so far away in winter time. Russian companies make all the programs and contracts and give prices for winter packages in this trade show. This means that in September, at Leisure exhibition, they arrange everything for winter season, when Russians fly away looking for sun or good weather.

When do the tour operators close their programs for the winter season?
They do it at Otdykh Leisure. For example, just yesterday I heard from some friends who have nothing to do with the tourism industry and wanted to buy a package for an island destination this winter season. Well, the travel agency where they wanted to buy it told them that they needed to wait until next week because the company can give the prices for this trip only after Leisure exhibition.
Leisure is the place where those operators meet companies from countries like Dominican Republic and get the prices for the season and confirmation for bookings and everything. So, starting from now they can sell those packages to Russian tourists.

How many countries have attended Otdykh Leisure this year? What can you tell us about the Caribbean presence at the exhibition?
We have had around 85 countries. Regarding the Caribbean, we have had bigger stands although the countries are the same than last year. For example, Dominican Republic´s stand is four times bigger than last year. Cuba and Argentina have booked a similar space than last year, while Mexico has doubled the space. As usual, we have had Venezuela. Colombia doubled its space. Brazil booked the same space, but Brazilian companies are more than last year.

What are the regions showing a fastest growth in Russian tourism?
We could say that Asia, and Latin American and the Caribbean are also growing in numbers.

Could you advance any novelties for next year?
The show will take place in Moscow from 17 to 20 of September 2013, and we plan to improve the online appointment system. We had it this year, but it was a first for the Russian market and people need to get used to it. We also plan some improvements and innovations which will be announced later on.

Have you devised any strategy to have more Latin American countries attending Otdykh Leisure?
We hope to attract new Latin American countries next year, because we want to expand the Latin American and Caribbean segment within the exhibition. I am talking about countries like Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. This year we started a lot of projects at the exhibition, we have had a new structure, a new and unique for Russia online appointment system and a first MATIW App which was downloaded and used by many trade visitors… We hope that next year even more countries and destinations will join our event.  See you all 17 – 20 September 2013 in Moscow!