Demand among foreign travelers for trips to Russia increased by 30 percent during the 2016 summer season, according to a study by the Momondo reservation service.
According to the company's data, the highest number of bookings are now accounted for European travelers from the UK (demand has increased by 143.9 percent compared to the same period last year), Norway (+127.9 percent), Israel (+55.5 percent), Denmark (+37.9 percent) and Germany (+34.6 percent). The number of tourists arriving from the United States rose by 11 percent.
An interesting titbit I found in an article:QuoteDemand among foreign travelers for trips to Russia increased by 30 percent during the 2016 summer season, according to a study by the Momondo reservation service.
According to the company's data, the highest number of bookings are now accounted for European travelers from the UK (demand has increased by 143.9 percent compared to the same period last year), Norway (+127.9 percent), Israel (+55.5 percent), Denmark (+37.9 percent) and Germany (+34.6 percent). The number of tourists arriving from the United States rose by 11 percent.
http://rbth.com/business/2016/02/19/demand-for-travel-to-russia-rises-by-30-among-european-tourists_569277
An interesting titbit I found in an article:QuoteDemand among foreign travelers for trips to Russia increased by 30 percent during the 2016 summer season, according to a study by the Momondo reservation service.
According to the company's data, the highest number of bookings are now accounted for European travelers from the UK (demand has increased by 143.9 percent compared to the same period last year), Norway (+127.9 percent), Israel (+55.5 percent), Denmark (+37.9 percent) and Germany (+34.6 percent). The number of tourists arriving from the United States rose by 11 percent.
http://rbth.com/business/2016/02/19/demand-for-travel-to-russia-rises-by-30-among-european-tourists_569277
With the ruble being as weak as it is right now it certainly makes sense for European travelers who've wanted to visit St. Petersburg or any other major Russian city to take that trip.
Apart from Moscow and St Petersburg other places would also be visited too. Sochi of course with its new facilities could become a year round destination.Man that beach looks horrible, better goto Yevpatoria and its sandy clean beaches.
Can you imagine, if Russia had dropped the Visa requirement and local registration with the police, the number of people that would travel there?
employing the services or our friend Moby
It would fill up with American sex tourists as Ukraine did. We read here historically that the visa puts them off.
From many of the threads here on RUA, Americans tend to enjoy the shopping experience, with nothing more than a hug, or peck on the cheek. :)
Can you imagine, if Russia had dropped the Visa requirement and local registration with the police, the number of people that would travel there?
It would fill up with American sex tourists as Ukraine did. We read here historically that the visa puts them off.
I support the idea of Russian visas generally, after all, we even need to endure a visa type process, and pay, to go to the US (they call it visa waiver but you must pay and get permission - so that will be a defacto visa then).
What I wanted was easier access to them and/or no visa required for certain classes of people. Well, 1/2 ain't bad.employing the services or our friend Moby
Many here who have done business with him wouldn't recommend it. Caveat Emptor. Were it up to me, he wouldn't get a Russian visa at all.
I support the idea of Russian visas generally,
With the MOB, industry dead and gone in Russia, the only sex tourism would be with the local working girls
Apart from Moscow and St Petersburg other places would also be visited too. Sochi of course with its new facilities could become a year round destination.Man that beach looks horrible, better goto Yevpatoria and its sandy clean beaches.
Rubbish, 80% of them have no passports..... and those andenturers we know, had to wait for 5 days before having their legs over and after visiting the local..... good shops for presents, if they were lucky! Russian women are more conservative when it comes to Sus-sex first time, comparing with Ukrainians, who are more Europeans in this subject, after going for a window shoping! :nod: :laugh:Can you imagine, if Russia had dropped the Visa requirement and local registration with the police, the number of people that would travel there?It would fill up with American sex tourists as Ukraine did. We read here historically that the visa puts them off.
What I wanted was easier access to them and/or no visa required for certain classes of people. Well, 1/2 ain't bad.
You missed my joke and irony! :)employing the services or our friend MobyMany here who have done business with him wouldn't recommend it. Caveat Emptor. Were it up to me, he wouldn't get a Russian visa at all.
I reckon the sudden increase is because I went last year.........Or it could be that all those folks -like myself- with inlaws in Crimea are suddenly 'russian' tourists instead of ukrainian tourists.
If the government, apart from NO visa requirement accepted and introduced the “Open sky policy”, like in Prague, then the tour operators would offer many charters over there and all ancillary services would improve too. I am sure, Crimea would be no 1 in the list of arrivals, despite the No over-fly imposed by Ukraine, and easily by passed via Romania. “Money makes the world go around!”The no-fly zone over Crimea has been lifted officially. But EU still pays kiev for passing Crimean airspace :ROFL:
I support the idea of Russian visas generally,
Manny did you know there's another Stuart Smith who thinks the opposite of you? He contends that Russia needs to abolish the visa system to get more tourists into Russia to help significantly increase tourism revenue.
This other Stuart Smith thinks "Invitations and registration need to be scrapped altogether". He also says "the visa system needs urgent radical reform".
This other Stuart Smith sounds quite a bit different from what you're saying. :laugh:
http://russia-insider.com/en/russia-should-abolish-visas-eu-america-and-developed-world/ri9073
I support the idea of Russian visas generally,
Manny did you know there's another Stuart Smith who thinks the opposite of you? He contends that Russia needs to abolish the visa system to get more tourists into Russia to help significantly increase tourism revenue.
This other Stuart Smith thinks "Invitations and registration need to be scrapped altogether". He also says "the visa system needs urgent radical reform".
This other Stuart Smith sounds quite a bit different from what you're saying. :laugh:
http://russia-insider.com/en/russia-should-abolish-visas-eu-america-and-developed-world/ri9073
I wrote the article. Headline writers write headlines. A layperson might be forgiven for not knowing that.
You will observe in the copy I only suggest it should be easier; that the system needs reform; that the invitation and registration system is a relic of the USSR. I did not discuss scrapping visas altogether.
English is a tricky language till you get the hang of it, Westy.
However, the current onerous requirements and unnecessary bureaucracy to obtain a visa to Russia has been holding Russian tourism back for many years. The current visa system is inconsistent, inconvenient, and puts many people off travelling to Russia. Visa registration once in-country, differs across Russia and can also prove cumbersome and problematical.
If the government, apart from NO visa requirement accepted and introduced the “Open sky policy”, like in Prague, then the tour operators would offer many charters over there and all ancillary services would improve too. I am sure, Crimea would be no 1 in the list of arrivals, despite the No over-fly imposed by Ukraine, and easily by passed via Romania. “Money makes the world go around!”The no-fly zone over Crimea has been lifted officially. But EU still pays kiev for passing Crimean airspace :ROFL:
If the government, apart from NO visa requirement accepted and introduced the “Open sky policy”, like in Prague, then the tour operators would offer many charters over there and all ancillary services would improve too. I am sure, Crimea would be no 1 in the list of arrivals, despite the No over-fly imposed by Ukraine, and easily by passed via Romania. “Money makes the world go around!”The no-fly zone over Crimea has been lifted officially. But EU still pays kiev for passing Crimean airspace :ROFL:
MIL is coming over again to UK, but Nadia and her both want to go to Amsterdam, feck knows what happened but they've ended up with a Schengen visa appointment in Moscow, when they thought they'd chosen Eburg. Moscow is a bit far....
Got any advice on Dutch Schengen visa app process from Urals!!!???
MIL still has a valid UK visit visa so we are covered for that bit.
If the government, apart from NO visa requirement accepted and introduced the “Open sky policy”, like in Prague, then the tour operators would offer many charters over there and all ancillary services would improve too. I am sure, Crimea would be no 1 in the list of arrivals, despite the No over-fly imposed by Ukraine, and easily by passed via Romania. “Money makes the world go around!”The no-fly zone over Crimea has been lifted officially. But EU still pays kiev for passing Crimean airspace :ROFL:
MIL is coming over again to UK, but Nadia and her both want to go to Amsterdam, feck knows what happened but they've ended up with a Schengen visa appointment in Moscow, when they thought they'd chosen Eburg. Moscow is a bit far....If its her first schengen-visa on Netherlands, she will have a personal interview @dutch consulate in Moscow.
Got any advice on Dutch Schengen visa app process from Urals!!!???
This is not entirely correct. The personal interview depends on how often you received a Dutch schengen-visa. Only the first requires a personal appointment. It doesn't matter which route you take to obtaining one (do it yourself, travel agency or other).If the government, apart from NO visa requirement accepted and introduced the “Open sky policy”, like in Prague, then the tour operators would offer many charters over there and all ancillary services would improve too. I am sure, Crimea would be no 1 in the list of arrivals, despite the No over-fly imposed by Ukraine, and easily by passed via Romania. “Money makes the world go around!”The no-fly zone over Crimea has been lifted officially. But EU still pays kiev for passing Crimean airspace :ROFL:
MIL is coming over again to UK, but Nadia and her both want to go to Amsterdam, feck knows what happened but they've ended up with a Schengen visa appointment in Moscow, when they thought they'd chosen Eburg. Moscow is a bit far....
Got any advice on Dutch Schengen visa app process from Urals!!!???
MIL still has a valid UK visit visa so we are covered for that bit.
If your MIL is living somewhere in the Urals, she will have to go to the Dutch Consulate in Moscow for a personal Shengen visa application.
If she was applying for the same visa for a short holiday in Holland with a local travel agency, she would get the visa from the agency without a trip to Moscow.
As far as I know, she cannot apply at any UK Dutch Consulate for a visa whilst a non UK resident.
This is only from my limited knowledge on the subject..
Hope this helps you a little...
Cheers Fellas - that's The Netherlands off the list then!!
Cheers Fellas - that's The Netherlands off the list then!!
Why not go for another schengen visa, just make sure you don't enter Europe in Netherlands then.
I hear Finland is very acommodating for Russians.