SCOTLAND AND HOMECOMING ON SHOW IN RUSSIA
Sunday 12th October
Eighteen of Scotland’s leading tourism businesses are heading to Russia next week to showcase Scotland and Homecoming Scotland 2009.
Russians are among Scotland’s highest spending visitors and the aim of the VisitScotland trade mission, which will take in Moscow and St Petersburg, is to show Russian travel agents and outbound tour operators exactly what Scotland has to offer for leisure and business visitors.
Visa requirements and the language barrier mean that most Russians book their travel through tour operators and travel agents. Recognising the importance of this, the Scottish businesses will meet with over 70 Russian tour operators on the trip, which builds on a successful trade mission to Russia organised by the national tourism organisation last year.
Russia is also an important market for Homecoming Scotland 2009, the year long celebration to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns next year. There is a very high interest in Robert Burns in Russia as his works are included in the Russian school curriculum. Russian consumers have a taste for luxury and the Homecoming themes of golf and whisky are working well in this market.
Tourism Minister Jim Mather said: “We have seen Russia emerging as a key tourism market in recent years with impressive growth figures for outbound travel. It is a country with huge potential as we look to attract more people to our wonderful country, and rewarding them with the warmth of a Scottish welcome.
“Tourism is one of the world’s most competitive businesses and we must look to take advantage of every opportunity to ensure Scotland remains ahead of the game. Tapping into new emerging markets and showcasing the best of what Scotland has to offer is absolutely key to achieving this aim.
“With the works of Robert Burns already included in the Russian curriculum, this will also be a fantastic opportunity for us to extend a warm invitation to Russians young and old to come and join us for our Homecoming celebrations in 2009.
“With such an impressive programme of events, next year will be an exceptional time to visit Scotland.”
VisitScotland’s Chief Executive, Philip Riddle said: “Russia is an important emerging tourism market for Scotland with a huge potential for growth. We have made a strong commitment to this market, with Russian speakers on the staff and the creation of a dedicated emerging markets team.
“Homecoming Scotland will celebrate the best of Scotland and we hope to encourage Russians to travel to Scotland next year to enjoy this special year with us.
“We know that most Russian visitors book their trips through tour operators, so this visit to St Petersburg and Moscow is a unique opportunity for some of our top tourism businesses to showcase Scotland as a must visit, must return destination.”
VisitScotland launched its first website in Russian earlier this year, targeting business tourism specifically. Philip Riddle continued: “This trade mission also gives us a chance to target the Russian business tourism market. Incentive travel is popular for this market, with businesses rewarding their top executives with luxury breaks. Scotland is well placed to tap into this market with our luxury hotels and spas along with our world famous golf courses and distilleries.”
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact:
James Lakie, Press Officer
VisitScotland
Telephone: 0131 472 2410
Email: james.lakie@visitscotland.com
Pager: 07785 515460 (for out of hours press enquiries)
Note to editors
For more information on the Russian tourism market go to http://www.visitscotland.org/research_and_statistics/leisure_visitors/overseas-profiles/country_profiles-russia.htm
The businesses taking part in the trade mission to Russia are:
Travel operators
BMI
The Royal Scotsman – Orient Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises
Tour Operators
Cashel Travel Ltd
Holiday M
JAC Travel
Meridian Express
Roy Highlander Ltd
Accommodation:
Hilton
Fairmont, St Andrews
Gleneagles Hotel
HotelBeds Accommodation & Destination Services
Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa
Rocco Forte’s The Balmoral, Edinburgh
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
Turnberry Hotel
Visitor’s Attractions:
Discovering Distilleries (12 distilleries across Scotland)
Historic Scotland
Restaurants/venues
The Dome, Edinburgh