1. Russian outbound tourism to
Europe – Facts & Trends
Prepared by Paspartu.Travel

2. One of the largest travel markets
Key facts:
Russia has become the 7th largest travel market
by expenditure, and is the 2nd only to China in
terms of travel growth prospects
Annual spend on travel
(EUR bn, 2012, UNWTO)
1
Additional trips per annum expected by
2017 from 2012 base (Euromonitor)

3. Growing Russian travel market to Europe
Strong economic growth continues to
drive purchasing power and travel
expenditure by Russians
Thousands of Russian tourists abroad
(RosStat, ATOUT)
7–16% expected growth in number of
trips abroad by Russians between 2012 and
2015 (Roland Berger, ATOUT)
77% proportion of Russians who named
Western and Central Europe as the most
appealing destination (Roland Berger, ATOUT)
2

4. Russian middle class embracing travel
Russian middle class is the main growth driver for the outbound travel market in Russia
45%
percentage of Russians forecasted by Merrill Lynch to be in middle class segment by 2020, up from 14% in 2012
We expect Russian travel abroad to grow in tandem – from 16% travelling abroad in 2011 (source: Levada study)
Distribution of household income in 2012
(ATOUT, 2012)
Poll results: how often do you travel abroad?
(Levada, 2012)
3

5. Russian travellers – who are they?
Middle class with families: mainly in the market for beach
holidays, more susceptible to promotions and last-minute deals.
Traditionally book via retail travel agents
Young professionals: travel is part of lifestyle and number of
destinations visited is a status symbol. Adventurous and techsavvy. More likely to book online and explore new destinations
& experiences.
Ultra Wealthy: discerning and very demanding travellers, cash &
time rich. Often most visible but hard to reach segment of
Russian clientele covered by concierge services and VIP TAs
4

6. Where do they typically go?
Cold weather and lack of local infrastructure lead Russians to holiday abroad
Thousands of Russian tourists per
destination (RosStat, 2012)
Traditionally most popular destinations
were best value, sunny, visa-free or visaon-arrival: Turkey, Egypt & Greece
China & Finland are popular day-trip
destinations (for shopping)
Germany is also a popular transit hub
Spain is the largest fast-growing market in
W Europe (40% in 2012)
Russian tourism to Thailand has grown by
49% CAGR since 2008
5

7. Where do they want to go in the future?
European countries mentioned as
most appealing for a beach holiday
European countries mentioned as
most appealing for a ski holiday
Spain & Greece
are increasingly
popular for
quality beach
holidays…
..while France
meets their
growing appetite
for ski, wellness
and cultural
vacations.
European countries mentioned as
most appealing for a visit holiday
6
European countries mentioned as most
appealing for a spa/ wellness holiday

8. How do they plan?
65%
Sources influencing the choice of a holiday
destination by discretionary travellers
percentage of
Russian
discretionary
travellers who used
websites to decide
on their next
destination
(source:
PhoCusWright)
7
Type of websites used for research by
discretionary travellers

9. How do they spend?
Russian are notorious high spenders:
54%
percentage of Russian tourists in France who stayed in
4 or 5 star hotel
(survey by Roland Berger for ATOUT, 2012)
Average spend per person per trip by
destinations (Euromonitor, 2012)
8
Breakdown of a typical spend by a
Russian tourist in France (ATOUT, 2012)

10. What to watch?
Relaxation of visas to Western Europe
Low cost airlines
Online shopping – growing rapidly from a low base
Shift from packaged tours to independent travel
9

11. About Paspartu.Travel
Paspartu is a unique online travel platform for Russian speakers
Combining proprietary travel guides, booking engines and
planning tools we strive to empower independent travellers to
experience “travel as it should be – designed by you”
Paspartu works with a growing number of travel & hospitality
providers & intermediaries, providing them with:
Business listings on our pages
Targeted discount & promotion arrangements with relevant
Commission-based sales channels via APIs or affiliate programs
To find out more: email us at info@paspartu.travel or visit
https://paspartu.travel/about
10