Russia
Tourists are afraid to go to Russia
The number of foreign tourists who choose to spend their vacations in Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, is smaller than the amount of people living in a little village in German countryside. Many potential visitors are discouraged by numerous difficulties with visa bureaucracy, the lack of hotel rooms for good cost, and the level of service.
Most of the countries in the world pay considerable attention to the development of their incoming tourism. After all foreigners not only bring the mentality and culture of their home-country but they also spend a lot of money in the host country. However, the number of foreign tourists who spend their vacations in Russia is decreasing every year. In 2007 there were only 2.2 million visitors in Russia which was 8 percent less than in the previous year. What is the reason for this negative tendency?
One of the most important reasons seems to be the lack of valuable travel information about the country and its tourist attractions. Naturally, this could be solved by a well-managed promotion abroad. A good example of destination promotion is Turkey that over the last years spent 10 percent of its state budget on promotion of its seaside facilities in Russia. As a result, the amount of Russian tourists coming to Turkey rose to 2.5 million visitors last year.
The institute responsible for the promotion of Russia and its image making is Rosturizm (Russian Federal Tourism Agency). In 2007 Rosturizm spent € 3,7 million on promotion which makes not even 17 percent of the whole agency’s budget. The bigger part of the budget was on the other hand spent on the participation of the Russia’s representatives at various international tourist exhibitions and numerous fam trips for foreign journalists. There is no information about any promotion campaign abroad, in foreign television or web pages. What more, even the website of Rosturizm is not in English.
Another serious problem for the development of incoming tourism in Russia is the fact that practically nobody speaks English or doesn’t speak good enough to be able to communicate with tourists. An overwhelming majority of street signs is written in Russian only. Tourists complain especially about the metro and its complex system that does not offer much help for non-locals.
Also, many potential visitors are discouraged by the visa formalities that need to be undergone by all EU citizens as well as Americans and many other countries. However, some changes in the formalities might appear soon after the good experience the Russian government had in spring. At that time the officials allowed the English football fans to come to the country without any visa for the final of the football Champions League hosted in Moscow. During three days more than 40,000 English fans came to the Russian capital. We can only guess how much money they spent in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
There are a lot of attractions and sights in Russia worth seeing. Tourists are mainly interested in places they heard about in the media. Of course, first of all it is Moscow and St. Petersburg. The popularity of Trans-Siberian Railway also rises over the last years. Also, a lot of tourists are interested in traveling in the Russian Golden Ring. However, it is quite clear that the number of tourists visiting this beautiful country is only in the hands of the officials and the leaders of Russia. The more people hear about the beauties of Russia the more they are tempted to come. It is all about the priorities.
Comments
If you are in anyway ethnic be very careful in the big cities: I was with Russians but had real venom thrown at me by a dolled up passport official in overdone blue eyeliner and thrown into jail in Volgograd despite all my papers in order and having registration at the best hotel in town when i went to see the stalingrad memorial.My Russian mates in UK concurred and the worst thing is the sheer no of skinheads and killings treated with total apathy by the Police. My mate is a US serviceman originating from Maritius who had his brother killed and his cousin left with brain damage in the same attack by skinheads whilst studying at Med school over there.The Police did absolutely nothing: I can live with being stranded by Aeroflot in Moscow, poor service and sheer lack of common sense but the outright violent racism that exists is not worth the risk: I will never ever step foot over there again. The worst thing is to see these morons seig heiling you as you drive past in a taxi in Arbat FFS - they blame everyone but their own crooked gov that turned the place into a den of crooks who grabbed onto the commodities boom in one way or another.They may have money but they still have not learnt to eat with their mouths closed.
Russia is as safe as most destinations. Book with reliable, long-established firms in your home country -to make the arrangements including guides and sightseeing and transfers. Visa processing is lengthy - but have you seen what the US requires for visas?
Yes, you do have to plan in advance! Yes, you can do "visa free" sightseeing when visiting on a cruise ship - but dont look at Russian government sites for that - look at your US tour operators who provide these services thru RELIABLE, LONG-TERM Partners. Yes, you can and should, go beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg - but dont try to do it all in 7 days!!
I have been arranging travel in Russia since 1976 - and have encountered and been involved in many changes - but still find it a great place to visit!
My concern with Russia is its visa application. Several years ago I wanted to visit and downloaded a visa application. There were lots of questions about training or experience with weapons, explosives, chemical weaons and things along that nature. As a former soldier, I had the same training every soldier has, nothing exceptional, nothing special. I felt these questions would cause the Russian government to single me out for harassment or worse. Even though the curtain is down, there are still those that have ill will for us and I feel answering the questions would be inviting trouble. Being dishonest on the application is not a good idea since it gives them a real reason to make life difficult.
I am not Rambo, not a terrorist nor am I a threat to anyone, I just like to travel but the visa questionair just raised too many concerns. I contacted the state department and even sent a letter to the Military asking for guidance but I never received a response. (no surprise).
So, as much as I would like to visit Russia, it has been moved to the bottom of my 'must visit' list until I can feel secure about the information I have to reveil. Serving my country many years ago during the cold war shouldn't cause me to have concerns. The questions have no valid purpose since a terrorist or criminal is going to lie anyway. It only serves to keep prudent travelers away.
While in China, I did notice that the visa application for the Chinese was much shorter than that for Americans.
We invite you to Russia
An ordinary Russian family from a small town of the Volga region is ready and is willing to give you the chance to travel and to live in Russian (in our house). We are willing to give you the chance to get acquainted and to get to know the Russian cooking, the Russian way of life and the Russian culture.
We are able to organize (in accordance with your wish and desire) the visiting of our local museums, the sightseeing of the historical places. You will be able to see the articles of our folk arts and even to buy some of them.
You will get an opportunity to have practice in real spoken Russian language and to learn it better. There will be no problem in communications and understanding, as we know English and we can help you in any way.
You will get a unique chance to see what the real Russian people are and how the Russians live in everyday day life.
Eugene.
MSN is maxteams61@hotmail.com
e-mail is maxteams@mail.ru
ICQ: 263-417-681
+7-919-816-75-08
OK. Why to go to Russia? Espacially to Moscow/ To bi bitten by SkenHeads or by drank russian stuped guys who only can drink and fight. They do not have anything in their head. The world is butiful, go to any other place and you will see much beter things than in Russia. OK I can only agree that St. Pitersburg is worth to see, but that's all.
think 10 times before you go to Russia and be safe.
In preparation for taking a group on a Baltic cruise this summer I repeatedly called and faxed (various) Russian Consulate(s) asking for confirmation of the names of government APPROVED sightseeing companies (thus these passengers would not require independent visas, but would be coverred by that of the tour company). No matter how many calls or faxes I could get no response. If Russia wants to make one sure and fast improvement it would be offering professional travel agents prompt and accurate responses to simple inquiries such as this.
It is difficult to reconcile figures when an article in July about the changing face of Moscow quotes a figure of 4,012,000 tourist in 2007
Post new comment