Tourism body launches Russian website
VisitScotland has unveiled its first ever Russian language website in a bid to strengthen links to Russia – an emerging tourism market for Scotland
The website, www.conventionscotland.com/ru has been developed by the national tourism organisation's Business Tourism Unit to attract more Russian business tourists to Scotland.
Russia is an expanding market for leisure and business tourism, with a growing opportunity as more people within the market choose to travel.
Flights from Russia to Europe rose by 17 percent last year. This growth is in line with increased wealth and it is now ranked as the world's ninth largest market in terms of the amount they spend.
Business travel is the most popular reason to travel to the UK with VisitBritain having reported that 42 percent of all Russians visiting come on business.
Caroline Packman, head of VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit, said: "We have existing strong links with Russia and are continuing to build on this. The new Russian language website will showcase the best venues, suppliers and event providers Scotland has to offer and give buyers an insight into the diverse range of facilities we have for meetings, incentive travel and corporate hospitality."
Features on the website include a venue search which contains over 650 venues across Scotland. Suggested itineraries and direct links to the full range of venues and services are also available.
VisitScotland will host a Scottish Workshop and Evening Reception in Moscow and St Petersburg later this year. Russian meeting and event organisers, as well as leisure operators, will have a chance to meet with 20 representatives from Scotland's best hotels, venues and service providers.