Typical Russian tourist -
- travels with an agency
- prefers precisely planned programs
- consults his plans with friends and relatives
- doesn't like to decide and choose on his own
- is willing to pay a lot
- seeks entertainment and restaurants
- isn't interested in mountain tours or winter-sports
Brno - While a US citizen visiting a trade fair in Brno does his business and leaves, his Russian counterpart stays for a few days, takes a few trips and sees a good part of Moravia.
Russian tourists in the Czech Republic are breaking records. They find the country pleasantly safe and luxurious hotels love them for they are known to be spenders.
"Russian tourists stay in our country longer than anybody else. For two or even more weeks," informed Karin Šeligová, press secretary of agency CzechTourism, the aim of which is to promote the Czech Republic abroad. Šeligová adds that it is above all cities and baths that attract Russians the most.
Last year, the number of Russian tourists was 40 per cent higher than in 2006, while the number of German tourists decreased by 2 per cent.
Russians go west
In total 6.6 million tourists visited the Czech Republic last year. The majority of them came from Germany, Great Britain, Italy, USA, Netherlands and last but certainly not least, from Russia.
It was about 350 thousand Russians visiting the country, whereas the number of German tourists was as high as one million. But Germans are in a more favorable position than the Russians, as they live literally next door and need no visa either.
In addition to sites traditionally favored by Russians, such as Prague and Karlovy Vary, other parts of the country, such as South Moravian or Moravian-Silesian regions, are becoming increasingly popular.
Transport? Easy
What also helps to increase the number of Russians coming to the country is the transport means that have become more frequent. Besides flying and taking a train, Russians can take a bus now.
"From July till the end of 2007, in total 5,000 have used a new Moscow-Brno air-route," said Tomáš Poláček, director of Airport Brno air line company. In January the company has allegedly doubled the number of flights to two per week.
Russians´ appetite for travelling is facilitated by a relatively high number of bank holidays their country has. Apart from the traditional holidays like New Year´s Eve and Christmas, they come on May Day and World War II memorial day.
Castles, wine cellars, shopping and baths
Travel agencies, regional administrations and municipalities are trying to exploit the Russian tourist boom as much as possible.
The Zlín Region has initiated a so-called "Moravian Amber Path" project that offers an elaborate travel program.
Guided through the old trade route, tourists can see Moravian UNESCO sites, a Napoleon-era battlefield of Slavkov, spa-town of Luhačovice and Buchlov and Helfštýn castles, the architecture of which is largely unknown to Russians.
On top of that, travel agencies offer group entertainment programs and shopping tours, something no Russian can imagine his or her holidays without.
Russians are also interested in wine tasting, brewery and destillery excursions, and nightlife in Moravian cities.
