Features of servicing foreign tourists in Russian hotels. Inbound tourism in the Russian Federation: concept, problems, prospects

Of course, Moscow and St. Petersburg. All other trips inland for most foreigners are associated with extreme tourism.

However, in addition to the two capitals, Russia has something to show and surprise. And it seems that the interest of tourists in the Russian hinterland not only does not weaken, but only intensifies every year.

IN Lately many experts started talking about the fact that the Golden Ring brand was "blown away", its former popularity, allegedly, began to decline. However, if you study the proposals of European tour operators, travel to the cities of the Golden Ring occupy a strong position after Moscow and St. Petersburg. One of the most popular cities on the list is the city-reserve of Suzdal. The city is amazing, it personifies a quiet and modest Russia, where life flows measuredly like the Klyazma River. The city can be easily explored on foot in a day ancient monuments, including 5 monastic ensembles, Museum wooden architecture, more than 30 churches, look into the workshop of a potter or blacksmith, and after a delicious dinner, lie on the banks of the quiet Kamenka. The only livelihood of the city is tourists, so everything is done here to make the guest feel good. IN last years new hotels and complexes appeared in the city that meet world standards, so foreign speech began to sound on Suzdal land not only on the days of large-scale festivities like the Cucumber Festival or Bast Shoes Day.

Rostov the Great

IN ancient Rostov Great, spread out on the picturesque shores of Lake Nero, to the homeland of St. Sergius of Radonezh, they go not for entertainment, but for spirituality. Most of the foreigners who come here are elderly people. However, foreigners in general, as you know, travel more when they are retired. Domes are everywhere here: the Kremlin, the Spas-Yakovlevsky and Avraamiev monasteries, the Assumption Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Varnitsky Monastery. Unfortunately, many Rostov hotels still turn off hot water, in restaurants it sounds “Taganka ... Why did you ruin me?”, And in bars you can hang axes because of the swirling cigarette smoke, but such “little things” do not stop foreigners. And how can they be a reason to refuse a trip that can change the perception of Russia.

Yaroslavl

After switching on historical center cities in the UNESCO list, Yaroslavl received a rebirth. Today, the French, Germans and British mainly come to the city. But the interest of Americans in Yaroslavl has greatly decreased - especially many US citizens came to the city in the 80s, after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Choice cultural program often depends on the traveler himself: many are in a hurry to see what was created in the 17th century, the church of Elijah the Prophet, frescoes. And, for example, some Norwegian farmer will drink a glass of beer on Kirov Street with great pleasure and will be absolutely happy from such a “journey”. Increasingly, foreigners refuse to see the sights, and ask to see the life of the city, and not some polished spot in the center, but real, Russian. Curious foreigners are interested in everything: why are tree trunks whitewashed or why do most Russian women always wear high heels? And foreigners are very fond of the "Stone of Desires", by attaching to which a sore spot, one can supposedly be healed. The Spaniards and the French are more than others ready to support the tradition and willingly apply their "sores" to the stone, and many men even rub their balding heads against the stone.

Velikiy Novgorod

The name of Veliky Novgorod as New Rome is very common among foreign tourists. They are invited in the city to visit the Byzantine Hagia Sophia and the Novgorod Kremlin, as well as to see the icons of the 11-12th centuries and the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek. The program also includes a bell ringing concert at the Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Wooden Architecture. They meet foreign guests with bread and salt, as well as with laudatory songs, dances, games and round dances, in which foreigners gladly take an active part. Special dinners for foreigners often include tasting pancakes and the Novgorod drink spotykacha. In general, staying in Veliky Novgorod can be not only useful, but also very fun. Some old Novgorod amusements - running on stilts or pushing on poles - are worth something. Of particular interest is a visit to the workshops, primarily a visit to birch bark craftsmen, where foreigners are happy to weave souvenirs in memory of Russia.

Foreigners may choose Pskov in those cases when they want to get acquainted with the history of Russia in detail. After all, it was here on Vechevaya Square that they first started talking about Russian democracy. The baptist of Rus', Vladimir, spent the Pskov land and Princess Olga grew up. The author of the well-known concept of "Moscow - the Third Rome", the elder Filofey, lived in the Eleazarovsky Monastery. Nicholas II abdicated at the Pskov railway station, and the story ended Russian Empire. In the battles with the Kaiser units near Pskov, the legendary Red Army was born. Many foreigners want to visit military reenactment festivals" Battle on the Ice”, “Iron City” and “Isaborg” or take part in the Maslenitsa festivities. Pskov conquers foreigners with its antiquity and silence, and people - with openness and beauty. You can often hear the comparison of Pskov with Paris. Both cities are one big attraction. Only here in Paris announcements in public places are dubbed into English.

Ekaterinburg

About 140 thousand foreigners visit Yekaterinburg every year, and most of them come to the city on a business trip. 68% of foreigners consider the city as an attractive place for investment and business. Foreigners are most often presented with Ekaterinburg as a place where the family of the last tsar was “overtaken by violent death”, and also as the birthplace of the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin. They also remember Ural mountains. People come here willingly for adventure, because the “city of a sad image” in the minds of most Europeans and Americans is a real exotic. True, most savage tourists do not go to Yekaterinburg, but they definitely include it in their free "swimming" around Russia. Foreigners live in Russian families, go for walks in the woods, Ural rivers. In general, they emerge from civilization at the first convenient opportunity, and Yekaterinburg is one of the Russian cities that successfully helps them in this.

An ideal trip for foreigners who want to see Siberia with their own eyes, as well as for those who have an incredible desire to confirm or debunk the many rumors and stereotypes about Russia, a huge country in which, according to foreigners, it is often not clear what is happening. Russia - was and is a mystery for those who have never been in it. And between the search for answers to an unresolved question, foreigners are conquered by samples of Tomsk wooden architecture - there are no such houses anywhere else in the world. These are not just buildings, they are real works of art. And, of course, they cannot leave indifferent the river views that open from observation deck Camp garden. Even after Nizhny Novgorod and Tobolsk they are impressive. Many people come to the Russian outback to study, work, for an internship or just to relax. And almost everyone thinks with regret that they will have to leave this country.

Inbound tourism is a trip organized for foreigners, serving foreign tourists.

"Colourful Russian estates or monotonous Siberia - foreign tourists know little about Russia," tourism industry professionals regret. Of course, we are no longer talking about the delusion of foreign inhabitants from the category: in the Russian Federation, bears walk the streets, and Russians feed them from their hands. This is already a rudiment of ideas about Russia, however, as well as the opinion that nothing has changed in the country in the field of tourism services in fifteen years. Inbound tourism in the Russian Federation should radically change these judgments, subject to a competent approach to the development of new routes.

concept

A synonym for the concept of "inbound tourism" is English word"incoming". This system has its own promotion tools, but not as developed as in the internal aspect. The inbound tourism market includes business areas or educational excursions.

Dynamics of tourist flows

The number of tourists in Russia grew at a good pace until 2014. Then a recession followed, associated with a decrease in the business tourist flow due to the aggravation of foreign policy relations. But in 2015, the influx of travelers recovered slightly. Rosstat cites the following growth dynamics of foreign visitors who indicated “tourism” as the purpose of their visit to Russia:

2011 - 2,335,977 people;
2012 - 2,570,469 people;
2013 - 2,664,782 people;
2014 - 2,583,079 people;
2015 - about 3 million foreigners.

Almost three years ago, Rosstat began to count foreigners in Russia according to a modified scheme, that is, it switched to the accounting system developed by the World Tourism Organization, used by all countries. A tourist is one who comes to Russia to spend money. According to this system, already in 2015 one could speak of almost three million foreigners. In 2016, we also noted positive dynamics.

What is holding back the flow of tourists to Russia

Travel industry experts say there are no fewer foreign tourists, they just spend less and are more selective in their choice of services. Experts name the factors hindering the development of inbound tourism in Russia:

insufficient development of international air traffic;
visa restrictions;
security questions;
high price of the tour package;
low level of service;
weak infrastructure;
foreign policy tension;
there is not enough information about holidays in Russia.

Positive Factors

The situation with inbound tourism is still changing. Today, this type of travel is considered a trend, and travel industry professionals are promoting Russia's tourism opportunities in the world. For the state, the advantages of inbound tourism are obvious, bringing direct investment, as well as jobs in the subjects of the federation. In addition, a steady flow of tourists stimulates the development of the tourism market infrastructure.

The favorable situation with inbound tourism is associated with:

the introduction of a lightweight visa regime;
appearance;
infrastructure development not only in the capital, but also in the regions;
creation of national tourist centers NTO Visit Russia in various countries the world to present image information about Russia.

Popular routes

Soviet Travel Company"Intourist" in the eighties, taking into account the peculiarities of inbound tourism, has developed a hundred routes that are of interest to foreign tourists.

Moscow, Saint Petersburg.
Moscow - Golden Ring of Russia.
Transsiberian Express.
Tea path.
Great Volga way.
River cruises.

In the organization of inbound tourism, today it remains for tour operators to revive these areas, but so far only promoted tourism products are in demand. The tourist opportunities of the regions are presented rather sparingly, only two percent.

Inbound tourism strategy

Moscow and St. Petersburg can no longer remain the only centers of attraction for foreigners, also due to insufficient infrastructure: there are often not enough buses or tickets to museums. Tourism market professionals offer:

To develop a new mechanism for the formation of a tourist destination. For example, Moscow or St. Petersburg as large recognizable cities and starting points of the route; further - moving to other regions.
Create new branded routes that unite regions. For example, the Silver Necklace of Russia. This direction includes eleven subjects with ethnographic, cultural and historical points.
Create a single full-fledged portal tourist Russia, which combines all offers for foreign visitors.

Brand rules in tourism

The modern tourism market offers not only organized tours, but also individual solutions depending on the more flexible the offer, the more interesting they are for the tourist. Tourist flows are different, and the subtleties of tourism should not be missed. The Russian Federation can take advantage of the demand by creating brands from cultural or natural centers, filling their images with tourism products. For tourists, the borders of the subjects of the federation are not important, they come for the sake of the object.

In addition to the capital regions, Baikal, Siberia or Kamchatka may open for foreigners; noble estates, fishing ponds or nature reserves. The tourism industry believes that today there are favorable conditions for promoting Russia abroad.

Where do tourists come to Russia from?

Russia is one of the ten most visited countries in the world, but it lags far behind France, the USA, Spain and Turkey. In terms of the number of tourists coming to Russia, China is the leader.

Foreign tourists in Russia:

European Union - thirty-seven percent;
Asia, thirty-three percent (China, twenty-three percent);
Southeast Asia and Australia, two percent;
CIS - five percent;
Middle East, twelve percent;
USA - eleven percent.

The interest of the citizens of Iran and India is growing in tourism in Russia. The strategic interests of the Russian Federation in the segment of inbound tourism are directed to Iran, India and Vietnam.

Income from foreign tourists

World tourism organization publishes annually data on countries' income from inbound tourism. From them it follows that Russia is ahead of the smaller countries. Moreover, some are much more difficult to get to than in the Russian Federation:

United States - two hundred and four billion dollars;
Germany - almost thirty-seven billion dollars;
France - almost forty-six billion dollars;
Spain - fifty-six and a half billion dollars;
Russia - eight and a half billion dollars;
China - one hundred and fourteen billion dollars;
South Africa - just over eight billion dollars;
New Zealand - almost nine billion dollars.

Russian tourists spend four times more than foreigners in Russia. Competition with countries that have long realized the benefits of inbound tourism makes it necessary to increase funds in this segment.

Regional markets for foreign tourists

Proposing to develop inbound tourism outside the capital regions, tourism experts note the inability of the subjects to offer quality services to foreign tourists. This applies not only to the development of the route, but also to elementary trifles. Regional tourism should be supplemented by personnel - especially guides who know at least English.

Today, in regions that are attractive to tourists, it is rare to find bilingual menus or hotel brochures for foreigners.

Which regions have more foreign tourists

The share of foreigners in the hotels of the Russian Federation is more than eleven percent, that is, about six million people. However, the distribution of tourists across cities is uneven. More than half live in Moscow - thirty-five percent of the total number of guests, just over two million people. The share of foreigners in St. Petersburg is thirty-three percent of the total number of guests, more than a million people. It is curious that the number of foreign tourists is not always proportional to the domestic tourist flow.

Regions of interest to foreigners

If we compare the indicators of domestic and inbound tourism, the results will be as follows:

Primorsky Krai: Russians - 813,511, foreigners - 145,483;
Russians - 848572, foreigners - 124,901;
Sverdlovsk region: Russians - 1,079,998, foreigners - 79,997;
Tatarstan: Russians - 1,680,475, foreigners - 101,980;
Vladimir region: Russians - 535, foreigners - 88,845;
Yaroslavl region: Russians - 633,984, foreigners - 48,845.

Tourism attraction tools

The increase in tourist flows is influenced by: a developed hotel base, modern airports and active promotion international level tourist offers, including during major world events.

In 2018, such an event will be the FIFA World Cup, which is hosted by Russia. And already in the stages of preparation for it, the promotion of the country for tourism begins.

Games will be played at twelve stadiums in eleven cities Russian Federation. Experts estimate that the FIFA World Cup could attract up to 1.5 million foreigners, thanks in part to visa-free entry FAN ID and FIFA list. Each tourist can spend an average of about a thousand dollars in Russia.

Specialists of the offices of tourist centers created in the world of the NTO Visit Russia conduct a series of presentations about the country, develop programs to inform foreigners about the tourism opportunities in Russia. The championship sets new challenges for tourism business, this is a unique opportunity to talk about Russian cities and make tourism advertising throughout the country.

From the Baltic to the Kuriles, from the Arctic to the Caucasus Mountains

ABOUT Russian tourism not only foreigners are in the dark. Basically, the Russians know only about the iconic tourist routes, without imagining how many breathtaking places there are in Russia:

Kungur cave in Perm region- 148 vertical through shafts.
on the Volga.
Stalin's bunker in Samara - 12 floors, there is an elevator.
Dancing forest with ecological path.
Kargopol - ancient city, decorated with 11 white stone temples.
The sunken city of Mologa, 32 km from Rybinsk.
Volcano Alaid on Atlasov Island.
Wrangel Island is a reserve in which there are about four dozen plants and animals that are not found anywhere else.
Kapova cave - about 200 drawings of primitive people.
Champ Island with round stones.
Whale Alley in Chukotka - an ancient Eskimo sanctuary.
Pillars of weathering in Komi.
Chara sands with dune ridges up to 25 meters high.
Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad.

Over the past three years, the domestic tourism market has changed significantly: tourism niches have formed, the main players in the tourism business have been identified, and new tourism products are emerging in the regions. Domestic and inbound tourism can develop in the same direction, in a single infrastructure, but they should be aimed at different travelers - domestic and foreign. This does not apply to routes, experts say, but to the subtleties of tourism, such as language conditions and a simplified visa regime. Other factors in the promotion of Russian tourism products, such as ensuring security and comfortable passenger traffic, are equally necessary for consumers this complex services offered to travelers from different corners planets.

Introduction

The issues of ensuring the safety of tourism are constantly in the center of attention of the authorities state power and business tourist community of Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions of the country.

However, Russia has not yet created an integrated system for ensuring the safety of tourists, statistics of accidents in tourism and their analysis, protection of persons and property in the field of tourism, including through modern insurance mechanisms.

In the last decade, tourism has become a significant component of the Russian economy, acting as an important factor stimulating the growth of employment, the production of goods and services, developing infrastructure and communications in the regions. Tourism has a huge impact on the preservation and development of the natural, historical and cultural potential of the country, the harmonization of relations.

At present, the issues of the formation of a modern system for ensuring the security of Russian and foreign tourists are one of the most important tasks public policy Russian Federation in the field of tourism.

Dangers for foreign tourists in the Russian Federation

To analyze the hazards to which they are exposed Foreign citizens in the Russian Federation, the relevant documents of the US Department of State were used: Consular Information Sheet for the Russian Federation and Information on sanitary conditions for tourists going to countries of Eastern Europe and CIS.

The following information about the dangers for foreigners in Russia can be used to compile travel guides and safety brochures. In addition, it demonstrates a third-party view of some specific problems in the development of inbound tourism in the Russian Federation.

Due to ongoing civil and political unrest in the North Caucasus, the US government and a number of European countries not recommended for visiting regions bordering Chechen Republic: North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol region, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria.

Employees of foreign governments are prohibited from visiting these republics, and American citizens living here are ordered to leave the region immediately. In the information

The US State Department indicates the facts of the abduction of foreigners by gangs.

It points to the possibility of committing terrorist acts in large Russian cities and reminds of special care in relation to luggage and belongings left unattended.

Americans are being warned of the dangers of commercial activities associated with the military-industrial complex. Any misunderstanding in the relationship could lead to special attention from the Russian special services and accusations of espionage. Several thousand cases of arrest and deportation of American citizens for these reasons have been reported over the past few years.

The attention of businessmen is drawn to the danger of forcible inducement to conclude contracts and extortion by corrupt officials. The facts of abductions and murders of foreign businessmen are pointed out.

It is also not recommended to cash out money with a credit card at street ATMs. In addition, cases of deception of people when performing such an operation are indicated. Foreigners are warned that it is illegal to use the currency to pay for goods and services. While old banknotes are often not accepted in banks and exchange offices, although this is contrary to Russian laws. In addition, it is not recommended to use traveler's checks due to significant difficulties with their exchange for cash.

Tourists are informed that pickpockets, assaults and robberies occur anytime and anywhere in Russia. Groups of children can also attack. People who are under the influence of alcohol are especially vulnerable. Foreigners of African descent are warned of the danger of attack by nationalist groups and even the police.

The US State Department warns that the quality medical care in Russia is far behind Western standards. In addition, there is a shortage of medicines and medical equipment. Directly indicates the need to pay in cash to a doctor to receive qualified assistance. Foreigners are warned about the possibility of contracting encephalitis after their stay in Novosibirsk, Vladivostok, cities and settlements Sverdlovsk region.

Attention is drawn to the dangers that may arise when committing car travel. It is indicated that accidents in Russia occur very often, especially due to the abuse of alcoholic beverages by drivers.

Tourists are warned about the inconsistency of Russian customs legislation and the need to declare all valuables. For the export of icons, samovars, carpets, etc. it is necessary to obtain a certificate stating that they are not of historical value.

Among the main infectious diseases that threaten foreign tourists in Russia and the CIS countries are called:

Malaria. Typical for countries bordering Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. In order to prevent this disease, vaccination is necessary. After visiting areas where there is a risk of malaria, it is necessary to take medication for four weeks;

Diphtheria. Vaccination is also required;

Encephalitis is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is most common in forested areas. For prevention, it is necessary to eat only pasteurized foods, protect yourself from bites of encephalitis ticks;

In order to improve the safety of your stay Russian citizens abroad and changes in the prevailing in many developed countries the image of "problem" tourists, it is advisable for the Russian Foreign Ministry to adopt the experience of the educational work of the US State Department. After all, awareness is the best method of preventing accidents and conflicts.

Russia has not yet created an integrated system for ensuring the safety of tourists, statistics of accidents in tourism and their analysis, protection of persons and property in the field of tourism, including through modern insurance mechanisms.

These vital issues were the subject of a joint meeting of the RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry Committees on Entrepreneurship in the Sphere of Tourism and on Entrepreneurial Safety “On measures to ensure the safety of tourism”, which took place on September 7, 2005. After listening to the reports and discussing the problems of the development of the tourism industry in modern conditions, the issues of ensuring the safety of tourism, the participants of the round table noted the following. In the last decade, tourism has become a significant component of the Russian economy, acting as an important factor stimulating the growth of employment, the production of goods and services, developing infrastructure and communications in the regions. Tourism has a huge impact on the preservation and development of the natural, historical and cultural potential of the country, the harmonization of relations. Great importance for the development of tourism have decisions taken in Gelendzhik at a meeting of the Presidium of the State Council on July 23, 2004, chaired by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, where for the first time in recent years the development of the resort and recreational complex of Russia was seriously discussed. The issues of the formation of state policy and a single tourist space in Russia began to be regularly discussed at economic and tourism forums (St. Petersburg, Baikal, Far East, Moscow), scientific and practical conferences of various levels.

The adoption of Federal Law No. 132 of November 14, 1996 “On the Fundamentals of Tourism Activities in the Russian Federation” determined the principles of state policy in the field of realizing the rights of citizens to rest, freedom of movement, and established the procedure for the rational use of tourism resources in Russia.

In order to implement Article 15 of this Law, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted a Decree of January 24, 1998 “On Specialized Services for Ensuring the Safety of Tourists”, which primarily means search and rescue units of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and similar ones created in the territories of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. In accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia has developed instructions for ensuring the safety of tourists on the territory of the Russian Federation. Issues of developing the tourism industry, ensuring the safety of tourism are constantly in the focus of attention of state authorities and the business tourist community of Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Republic of Karelia, Moscow Leningrad, Murmansk, Astrakhan, Vladimir, Kostroma, Tula, Irkutsk regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory and a number of other subjects of the Russian Federation. For example, by order of the Mayor of Moscow dated April 21, 2005 No. 662-RP "On measures to ensure the safety of tourism in the city of Moscow", in connection with the annual increase in the flow of foreign and Russian tourists a Coordinating Council for security issues in the tourist and hotel complex of the capital was created.

St. Petersburg has a positive experience of effective interaction between the tourism industry and government agencies in the field of protecting the rights and legitimate interests of foreign tourists and ensuring their safety.

At the same time, the participants of the round table emphasize that Russia has not yet created an integrated system for ensuring the safety of tourists, statistics of accidents in tourism and their analysis, protection of persons and property in the field of tourism, including through modern insurance mechanisms. . There are numerous violations of the right of citizens (tourists) to freedom of movement within the territory of Russia, regulations of local authorities and officials that contradict federal legislation, excessive expansion of border zones and a complicated procedure for obtaining passes, illegal collection of fees for protected areas per visit national parks and reserves, etc.

The participants of the round table believe that at present the formation of a modern system for ensuring the safety of Russian and foreign tourists is one of the most important tasks of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of tourism.

To analyze the dangers to which foreign citizens are exposed in the Russian Federation, the relevant documents of the US Department of State were used: Consular Information Sheet for the Russian Federation and Information on Sanitary Conditions for Tourists Going to Eastern Europe and the CIS.

Due to ongoing civil and political unrest in the North Caucasus, the US government and a number of European countries do not recommend visiting the regions bordering the Chechen Republic: North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol Territory, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria.

Employees of foreign governments are prohibited from visiting these republics, and American citizens living here are ordered to leave the region immediately. The information of the US State Department indicates the facts of kidnapping of foreigners by gangs.

It points to the possibility of committing terrorist acts in large Russian cities and reminds of special care in relation to luggage and belongings left unattended.

It is also not recommended to cash out money with a credit card at street ATMs. In addition, cases of deception of people when performing such an operation are indicated. Foreigners are warned that it is illegal to use the currency to pay for goods and services. While old banknotes are often not accepted at banks and exchange offices, although this is contrary to Russian laws. In addition, it is not recommended to use traveler's checks due to significant difficulties with their exchange for cash.

The US State Department warns that the quality of medical care in Russia lags far behind Western standards. In addition, there is a shortage of medicines and medical equipment. Directly indicates the need to pay in cash to a doctor to receive qualified assistance. Foreigners are warned about the possibility of contracting encephalitis after their stay in Novosibirsk, Vladivostok, cities and towns of the Sverdlovsk region.

Attention is drawn to the dangers that may arise when making road trips. It is indicated that accidents in Russia occur very often, especially due to the abuse of alcoholic beverages by drivers.

Among the main infectious diseases that threaten foreign tourists in Russia and the CIS countries are:

Diphtheria. Vaccination is also required;

In order to improve the safety of Russian citizens staying abroad and change the image of “problem” tourists that has developed in many developed countries, it is advisable for the Russian Foreign Ministry to adopt the experience of the educational work of the US State Department. After all, awareness is the best method of preventing accidents and conflicts.

In Russia, everything is still reduced to the publication by the Committee on International Affairs State Duma RF list of countries and regions not recommended for visiting by Russian citizens.

In 2001 it included:

1) Colombia;

3) Muslim-Croatian Federation;

4) Albania;

5) Autonomous Province of Kosovo;

6) Northern Cyprus;

7) Afghanistan;

8) South Lebanon;

9) East Jerusalem;

10) the territory of the Palestinian Autonomy;

11) Jammu and Kashmir regions (India);

12) Guinea-Bissau;

13) Sierra Leone;

14) Ivory Coast;

15) Nigeria;

16) Central African Republic;

17) Republic of the Congo;

20) Angola;

21) Somalia;

22) Rwanda;

23) Democratic Republic Congo;

24) North and East of Sri Lanka;

25) South Philippines;

26) East Timor;

27) Comoros.

The vast majority of these countries and regions are characterized by political instability, military and national conflicts.

The number of foreign tourists on the streets of Russian cities is constantly growing. The depreciation of the ruble against major world currencies has made Russia an attractive destination for tourists from many countries. We wanted to check how the tourist flow from abroad has changed in recent years.

We believe that this work will be of interest not only to a wide audience, but also to companies operating in the tourism sector. We hope this data will help them improve their work with foreign guests.

In preparing the study, we analyzed over 40 thousand reviews of foreign tourists about 767 hotels in the 50 most popular Russian cities among tourists (according to booking.com) from January 2015 to November 2016. The study took into account the reviews of tourists from countries far abroad(excluding CIS countries).

General dynamics and distribution by country

Over the year, the total number of reviews from foreigners increased by 24%. The peak traditionally falls on August. At the same time, we note that the growth from August 2015 to 2016 amounted to 20%.

Consider the distribution of tourists by country.

The top reviewers are Germany, Finland, China, Italy, France, the UK, Turkey, Switzerland, the United States of America and South Korea.

Of the European countries, Finland should be noted - the number of tourists from this country increased by 38% over the year. It is impossible not to note the dynamics of the tourist flow from South Korea- growth for the year amounted to 55%. The number of visits to our country by tourists from Israel (growth by 46%) and Iran (growth by 51%) has noticeably increased.

Among the leading countries in terms of negative dynamics are Turkey (decrease by 410%), Saudi Arabia(down 21%) and Egypt (down 59%).

We will separately consider the tourists who marked their trip as a business trip.

Countries with the highest proportion of business total number trips: Lithuania (75% of all trips are marked as business), Poland (66%), Cyprus (65%), Czech Republic and Latvia (59% each).

At the same time, Germany (1510 trips), Italy (1264), Turkey (969) and China (891) became the leaders in absolute terms (number of business trips).

Let's take a closer look at the behavior of foreign tourists (the relationship between the category of the hotel and its rating).

Main tourist flows

We will separately consider the main tourist flows among businessmen.

It should be noted that the majority of business trips are to Moscow and St. Petersburg - the number of business tourists in other cities of Russia is noticeably smaller. The exceptions are Vyborg (close cooperation with Finland) and Kaliningrad (close ties with Poland).

Foreign tourists are most interested in traditional tourist destinations: Moscow (over 15,000 reviews) and St. Petersburg (over 12,000 reviews). At the same time, Vladivostok, Vyborg and Kaliningrad are of considerable interest to foreign tourists. These directions take 3-5 places in the rating of cities by the number of reviews, respectively.

In addition to absolute values, data on the dynamics of visits to Russian cities by foreigners are also interesting. Among the leaders in terms of visitor growth are Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (up 147%), Valdai (up 100%), Suzdal (up 86%) and Rostov Veliky (up 72%).

Among the leading cities among business tourists, Krasnodar and Rostov-on-Don should be singled out separately - more than half of the trips to these cities are marked as business.

In general, tourists positively assess the quality of the hotel infrastructure in Russian cities. However, some tourist destinations still lack quality hotels.

Separate directions

Let us consider in more detail the pattern of behavior of tourists from different parts of the world.

Europe

The leaders in the number of tourists visiting Russia among European countries were Germany, Finland and Italy. Moreover, if the Finns mainly visit St. Petersburg and Vyborg close to them, then the geography of visits to Russian cities by German and Italian tourists more extensive.

Tourists from Finland are increasingly choosing our country for recreation.

Vyborg became the absolute leader among tourists from Finland - this city accounted for more than half of all reviews. At the same time, the growth of trips to Vyborg continues.

Tourists from Germany are traditionally interested in Moscow and St. Petersburg. At the same time, there is a steady increase in the number of trips of tourists from this country to Kaliningrad.

Asia

Tourists from Asia are increasingly choosing our country for recreation. The leader in this direction is traditionally China (53% of all tourists from Asia), the second and third places are South Korea and Japan. At the same time, tourists from South Korea and Japan are more inclined to relax in cities. Far East(leader - Vladivostok), and tourists from China mainly choose to visit the city in the European part of Russia.

Gold ring

We will separately consider visits by foreign tourists to cities included in Gold ring Russia.

The Chinese were especially fond of this direction.

Interest in the traditional tourist destination in Russia is steadily growing. The most popular cities among foreign tourists are Suzdal, Vladimir and Yaroslavl. We also note the positive dynamics of the average rating of hotels in these cities.

Instead of output

In general, Russia, as an interesting tourist destination, is perceived by an increasing number of foreign tourists, including in connection with a change in course national currency. The number of visits to Russian cities by residents of other countries is growing. In this regard, hospitality industry workers face new challenges: many tourist destinations still not enough developed infrastructure, automation of their processes, Special attention should be given to increase the level of ownership foreign languages and improving the quality of service.

We hope that our research will help the owners and employees of Russian hotels to provide better service to foreign guests. For example, it will allow you to understand that in order to increase the flow of tourists, the staff of most hotels should learn Chinese :)

P.S.:
The study is based on a sample of 44,297 reviews from individual tourists who booked rooms in 767 hotels in 51 Russian city on booking.com. When conducting the study, data on group trips and any other types of bookings were not taken into account.