Russian tour operators check out local tourism

May 13, 2012 | 07:13

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Representatives from dozens of Russian travel agencies will arrive in Vietnam later this month to study local tourism services in Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Danang and Hoi An.

This is the first time Russian operators have arrived in large numbers, estimated at 120, to prepare for the year-end tourism season. The guests will come in six separate groups before the end of the month.

Sixty representatives of travel firms from the cities of Barnaul, Uzno Sakhalinsk and Ulan Ude will take a survey trip to Nha Trang and Phan Thiet. The other half from Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Irkusk will visit Danang, Hoi An and Nha Trang on a ten-day trip.

The program is organized by Vietnam’s Anh Duong Co. Ltd. in coordination with Moscow-based Turkish Pegas Touristik Co.

“We have started to bring Russian tourists to Danang and Hoi An and want to introduce these new destinations to our Russian partners. We hope to welcome more visitors in the peak season,” said Hoang Thi Phong Thu, chairwoman of Anh Duong Co.

Starting on this Saturday, Anh Duong Co. will cater for Russian tourists arriving in Danang on chartered flights with the program wrapping up in September.

The company is also welcoming Russian tourists visiting Cam Ranh Bay.

Since October last year, Anh Duong has welcomed 46,000 Russian tourists on chartered flights. The market is growing well, said Thu.

This year also marks the first time that Russia has joined the top ten visitor-generating markets of Vietnam. The tourism authority is rolling out numerous marketing activities, as it aims to welcome 300,000 Russian tourists by 2014, tripling last year’s figure.

Saigontimes

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