United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
UK bids for more Russian tourists
Russia is being targeted by VisitBritain as it seeks to attract more high spending tourists to the UK.
The tourist office sees potential from attracting visitors from Russia because they stay in high-class hotels and spend money on shopping and entertainment. Russian tourists spent £122 million in the UK in 2002.
VisitBritain is joining politicians and business leaders at the seventh annual Russian Economic Forum in London next week in a bid to encourage more tourists. The event is due to be attended by 600 Russians who are in the UK to learn about trade and investment opportunities in the UK.
The number of Russian tourists to the UK rose by 8% to 117,000 in 2002 over the previous year. VisitBritain says they stay for an average of 12 nights, 60% on them in London. Many are looking for four and five-star accommodation and are drawn to the capital’s reputation as a leading commercial, cultural and fashion centre.
The tourist office’s head of business tourism Jeremy Brinkworth said a Russian-language version of its website www.visitbritain.com had been launched last year and a dedicated specialist appointed to handle the Russian market.
“The Russian Economic Forum is a high profile opportunity for VisitBritian to raise awareness among Russia’s business elite of the experiences to be enjoyed here in Britain and is particularly important as business visitors often bring their partners or families with them and want to enjoy leisure pursuits as well,” he said.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel