Testing for the editor
Russia is being targeted by VisitBritain as it seeks to attract more high spending tourists to the UK.
The tourist office sees potential from attracting visitors from Russia because they stay in high-class hotels and spend money on shopping and entertainment. Russian tourists spent £122 million in the UK in 2002.
VisitBritain is joining politicians and business leaders at the seventh annual Russian Economic Forum in London next week in a bid to encourage more tourists. The event is due to be attended by 600 Russians who are in the UK to learn about trade and investment opportunities in the UK.
The number of Russian tourists to the UK rose by 8% to 117,000 in 2002 over the previous year. VisitBritain says they stay for an average of 12 nights, 60% on them in London. Many are looking for four and five-star accommodation and are drawn to the capital’s reputation as a leading commercial, cultural and fashion centre.
The tourist office’s head of business tourism Jeremy Brinkworth said a Russian-language version of its website http://www.visitbritain.com had been launched last year and a dedicated specialist appointed to handle the Russian market.
“The Russian Economic Forum is a high profile opportunity for VisitBritian to raise awareness among Russia’s business elite of the experiences to be enjoyed here in Britain and is particularly important as business visitors often bring their partners or families with them and want to enjoy leisure pursuits as well,” he said.
Report by Phil Davies
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