Turkey, Egypt and China remain the most popular countries among Russians
Last year, Russian citizens made a total of 47 million 813 thousand trips abroad. However, only about a third – 15 million 332 thousand – had tourist purposes. At the same time, the growth of outbound tourist flow decreased: if since 2008 it has remained at the level of 11%, then in 2012 there were only 5.8% more trips compared to the results of the previous year.
Experts of the tourism industry associate these results with higher prices. This was told by the press Secretary of the Russian Union of travel industry Irina Tyurina. According to her, two years ago tour operators dumped, selling packages below cost. However, in 2012, many charter programs were reduced, which caused prices to rise. At the same time, the cost of tourist vouchers remained below the market, and 40% of all tours, according to the PCT, are sold at a price below cost.
Last year, the most popular country was Turkey, which received 2.5 million visitors from Russia, but this is 6.2% less than in 2011. In 2010, the country received 20.4% more Russian tourists, and in 2011 – 13.3%. The drop in interest is due to higher prices, and as a result, the cost of a holiday in Turkey is approximately equal to a vacation in Spain and Greece, where for the same money you can get better service.
Egypt is gradually regaining its lost position. Although the country has not yet achieved the results of 2010, it nevertheless recorded a 31% increase in tourist arrivals from Russia; last year 1,906 million of our fellow citizens came here. With Egypt losing 34% of Russian tourist arrivals in 2011, the 2012 figures are particularly optimistic. But last year was not so successful for China: despite the third place in the overall ranking, the country lost 11.5% of Russian tourists, primarily due to a decrease in the number of trips from Siberia and the Far East.
Tunisia has the most impressive results of the year: 207 thousand Russians, which is 15% more than in 2010 and as much as 43% more than in 2011. Also in the top ten countries where our travelers most actively travel - Germany, Greece, Italy, Finland, Thailand and Spain. Popular destinations such as Montenegro, Croatia and Cuba ranked 19th, 26th and 30th respectively.
Source: Travel.ru