Russians In-Resort Spending Far Greater than that of British and German Tourists, say Lastminute.com

Research by lastminute.com shows Russian holidaymakers’ willingness to spend big means hoteliers are now targeting the Russian market by offering its tour operators far better and more special offers than they do to German or British operators.

This has paved the way for the usual battle between the Brits and 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 research shows that the Russians are far more brash with their tactics which involve paying hotel staff and spending more once situated - making them a hit with the hard working hotel staff.

This popularity extends to hoteliers and local businesses, as the Russian in-resort expenditure eclipses the British and German spending.

In fact marketing expenditure shows that many hoteliers have gone so far as to ditch the German market altogether having replaced 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 redirected considerable resources to servicing the Russian outbound tourism market.

Early indicators show that major UK travel brands Thomas Cook and Virgin are set to join the other UK operators.

Another reason hoteilers prefer our Russian counterparts is that they are willing to accept much less customer service than the British or German tourists

Two decades after Communism fell, a strong Russian economy has bought wealth and prosperity to many of its 145 million citizens.

Previously Russians were restriced from travelling, now Russians are making full use of their freedom by heading to Europe’s holiday hotspots.

Their favourite 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 every year taking advantage of the cheap prices.

In a number of Turkish holiday resorts, the hotel cabaret is performed in Russian while nightclubs favour and sometimes exculsivly play Russian music to entertain their growing Russian clientele.

Russia is also set to become the biggest tourism source market for Egypt and its expanding Red Sea Riviera, which includes the resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Taba.

Around a 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 travel operators over booking their quotas in Egypt. The Egyptian Tourism Ministry has accused Russian Holiday operators of abusing their power and expecting the hotels to find rooms for their customers.

Stats from the ETM show, 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.

Contact Information

Paul Nelson

Press Release Manager

Lastminute.com

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