MITT 2015: Continued Growth in Russia’s Outbound Tourist Market

Moscow’s International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT), the largest travel trade exhibition in Russia and the CIS, returns for its 22nd edition on 18-21 March 2015.

Over 37 million Russians travelled abroad for business and leisure in the first nine months of 2014. Many countries, including: Cyprus, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Egypt, Latvia and South Korea have boasted an increase in the number of Russian tourists.

Amongst them, Turkey, welcomed over 4 million Russian tourists from January 2014 to September 2014 – a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2013.

Alper Özkan, Culture and Promotion Counsellor, Turkish Embassy in Moscow comments: “Being geographically very close to the Russian Federation, (..) last year 4.3 million Russian tourists visited Turkey - we still believe that the market will be growing when economic stability is achieved.”

In 2014, Russia’s international connectivity increased with new direct flight routes launched from Moscow to Bahrain, Delhi and Georgia; and from Vladivostok to Hanoi; Ekaterinburg to China; amongst others.

Visa requirements for Russian tourists have also been relaxed by Tunisia, scrapped by Indonesia, and an ‘e-visa on arrival’ system implemented for Russians travelling to India. These developments are just some of the recent procedures introduced to increase the mobility of Russian travellers.

Testament to the continued interest in the Russian outbound travel market, the MITT exhibition will welcome the new destinations of Yemen, Fujairah and Guam – who will exhibit for the first time in March 2015.

The MITT event is a platform where over 37,000 travel trade professionals, government ministers and international press can assess the market; network with existing and new clients, as well as conduct and conclude deals for the following tourism season.

To register your interest in participating at MITT 2015, please visit www.mitt.ru