Russians Holiday Spending Far Greater than that of British and
German Tourists, say Lastminute.com
Released
on: September 18, 2008, 12:34 am
Press
Release Author: Lastminute.com
Industry:
Consumer-Services
Press
Release Summary: Lastminute.com report the growing Russian holiday
market is eclipsing that of both Britain and Germany, noting how
this has changed hoteilers marketing angles.

Press
Release Body: Research by lastminute.com shows
Russian holidaymakers' willingness to spend big means hoteliers
are now aiming for the Russian holiday market by offering its
tour operators better deals than they would to British and German
Operators.
This
has led to the traditional battle between the Brits and the Germans
for the sun lounges of Europe evolving into a three-way competition,
with the Russians making their way to the front of the battle
to take over the beaches and pools.
Previously,
all Brits had to contend with were the Germans getting up at the
crack of dawn to reserve the best sunbathing positions with their
towels.
However,
the Russians have opted for a much more brash stategy by paying
hotel staff to reserve the sunbeds in advance - making them well
known and popular with hotel staff.
This
popularity extends to hoteliers and local businesses, as Russians'
in-resort spending far outweighs that of British and German tourists.
This
has led to many hoteliers to take a large step and leave targetting
the German holiday market altogether, replacing them with the
free spending Russians.
The
deals being offered to Russian tour operators are so good a number
of tour operaters in the UK - including Thomson, Kuoni and Inghams
- have already taken the step redirecting considerable resources
to service the Russian tourism market.
Early
signs show predictions that major UK travel brands Thomas Cook
and Virgin are set to join the other UK operators.
Another
advantage the Russians seem to provide hoteliers is that they
will be willing to accept a lower customer service standard than
more travelled tourists such as the British or Germans.
20
Years after Communism fell, a strong Russian economy has bought
wealth and prosperity to many of its 145 million citizens.
Previously
restricted from travelling, now Russians are marking the most
of their freedom by heading to Europe's most sought out holiday
hotspots.
So far their favourite holiday destinations are Turkey, Egypt,
Spain, Italy, and Greece - all made popular by British holidaymakers
and all in lastminute.com's top 10 summer holiday destinations.
Industry
statistics show that more Russians visit Turkey than any other
nation with 1.5 million a year taking advantage of the discount
prices.
In
a number of Turkish holiday resorts, the hotel cabaret is performed
in Russian while nightclubs favour Russian music to entertain
their growing Russian clientele.
Russia
is also set to overtake the British and become the biggest tourism
source market for Egypt and its expanding Red Sea Riviera, which
features the resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Taba.
Roughly
one million British and Russian tourists visit Egypt every year,
however the Russian market is set to overtake the British market.
There
has been a number of problems with Russian holiday operators booking
over their quotas in Egypt. The Egyptian Tourism Ministry has
accused Russian Holiday operators of flexing their muscles and
expecting the hoteliers to find rooms for them.
Reports
from the Egyptian Tourist Ministry, the number of holidayers who
went to Egypt last September grew by a massive 45%.
lastminute.com
UK Managing Director John Bevan said: "The battle
for Europe's sun beds will be more intense than ever this summer
as the Russians establish themselves as the most prominent outbound
tourism market in Europe."
"The
hoteliers focus for the Russians market, mainly at the expense
of German tourists, has changed the in-resort holiday experience."
"Holidaying
Brits will have to have their sun bed strategy finalised before
departing if they want to come back with a tan."
Who
is lastminute.com?
lastminute.com pioneered the online travel and leisure industry
by offering people a 5* lifestyle for 3* prices, selling everything
from hotels, flights, gifts,
gig tickets, restaurants and theatre tickets all at the lastminute.
Since
its birth in 1998, conceived by the vision of cutting edge entrepreneurs
Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox, lastminute.com has come a
long way. We now operate in 13 European countries, USA and all.
lastminute.com exists to help people make the most of their free
time with new, creative and unexpected ideas for every single
day.
In
July 2005, lastminute.com and its group of companies including
car hire gurus Holiday Autos and travel agents' best kept secret
Medhotels.com all joined the Sabre Holdings Group.
Web
Site: http://www.lastminute.com/site/travel/hotels/
Contact
Details: 39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
Paul Nelson
pressoffice@lastminute.com
