According to the UNWTO, Russia has the 9th largest outbound tourism market in terms of expenditure and it is increasing by 14% p.a. It also has the fastest growing internet population in Europe leading to an increase in direct reservations.
MITT, the 18th Moscow International Travel & Tourism exhibition, is Russia’s number one exhibition for the travel industry and one of the top five travel exhibitions in the world. MITT takes place every year in March immediately after ITB, and many find that extending their trip to incorporate MITT makes for a very productive trip. This year, the first day of the show will be dedicated to VIP guests only – those invited by the exhibitors themselves. This will make exhibitors’ time at the exhibition more effective.
Over the last 18 years, MITT has proved an effective and efficient way to build awareness amongst the local tourism trade and consumers. The event covers eight pavilions in Moscow’s most central exhibition centre, Expocentre.
With nearly 80,000 visitors, MITT is always a very busy event and, in order to help exhibitors organise their time at the event more efficiently, the first day of the show will be dedicated to VIPs, with the next two days open to business professionals and the final day open to the public.
MITT will feature a number of new destinations this year, including Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Botswana, El Salvador, Iraq, Korea, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Venezuela and USA. Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Taiwan and Singapore will also be returning to the show after a year’s absence. This year, Israel moves to Pavilion 2 Hall 1, to join the Mediterranean destinations, whilst Malta moves to Pavilion 2 Hall 3. The Turkish Ministry of Tourism will occupy a whole pavilion (Hall 1, Pavilion 8), with the Turkish tour operators next door in hall 2. As ever, there will be a large number of Italian companies presented on a stand of 1000 m², organised by ENIT. The Greek Tourism Board continues to have a massive presence in Hall 1, Pavilion 2, with two stands of over 1,000 m².
Last year, the medical tourism sector proved a popular attraction for visitors and it will return to Pav 2, Hall 3 this year. A medical Congress, MHTC, will complement the exhibition and feature presentations by key representatives of the sector.
Medical tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Russian travel industry, as the ever more health-conscious population seeks more advanced technology, better healthcare or faster medical services abroad. The preferred destinations for medical tourists are the Middle East (with 58% of the market) and Europe (with 37% of the market).
Maria Badakh, Head of Sales for ITE Travel Exhibitions, said: “As Russia’s largest travel fair, MITT has become a traditional meeting place for the whole travel industry and a showcase for the world! We are pleased to welcome the new destinations of Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Botswana, El Salvador, Iraq, Korea, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Venezuela and USA. I’m sure they will prove very popular with our visitors. For the first time, we will be concentrating fully on business for the first three days of the exhibition, whilst the fourth day will be open to the public. This will help our exhibitors to gain more out of their participation and we look forward to receiving their feedback after the event. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you in Moscow to kick off the Spring season at MITT!”
MITT’s official partners are: The Government of Moscow, Ministry of Sports, Tourism & Youth, The Federal Assembly of Russia, ITTFA, CECTA, UNWTO and PATA.
MITT 2011 takes place on 16-19 March 2011 in Expocentre, in the heart of Moscow.
| Statistics: | |
| Edition: 18 | Space: 48,027 m²* |
| Organiser: ITE Group Plc | Exhibitors: 3,000* |
| Frequency: Annual | Countries and regions: 185* |
| Attendance: 79,850* | |
| *Figures from 2010 |
Information and quotes from this year’s exhibitors:
NOTE: For the purposes of this press release, the quotes have been significantly shortened. For the full text, please click on the links below. Alternatively, for a full length version of all the quotes, please click here.
Abrar S. Al Shehhi, International Promotion Executive for Abu Dhabi Tourism: “We will be presenting the Ferrari World theme park, which is not just a theme park, but an immersive experience that will spark the Ferrari spirit within every guest. We will also be launching new luxuriance hotels.” More…
Liudmila Aplevich, Representative Office of the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba in Russia: “We’ll be presenting Cuban “sun & beach” and Cuban history, culture, nature, towns, diving, etc. Russia is very interesting for us, as an emerging and rapidly growing market with a great potential.” More…
Jörn Eike Siemens, Botswana Tourism Organisation: “This is the first time that Botswana Tourism Organisation will have a stand at MITT. It’s the biggest tourism show in Russia and this might be a good future source market for Botswana.” More…
María Esther Selva Cárdenas, Commercial Relations for Europe, Promotion and Marketing, Nicaraguan Tourism Board: “At the exhibition, the private sector will be presenting their packages that include exclusive and boutique hotels, retreats & spas, beautiful scenery, exotic flora and fauna in reserved parks areas, lakes and volcanoes and the warmth of our people. We will also be introducing the new hydroplane services to the major touristic attractions in Nicaragua.” More…
Olga Luchkova, Assistant Director, Moscow Office of the Korea National Tourism Organisation: “This year, we are going to present MICE facilities within the country, keep developing medical tourism in Korea and we hope that with our new partner, Accent Travel, we will enhance the segment of winter sports and ski-resorts in Korea. During the exhibition, we will offer the visitors the opportunity to get their names written on rice paper by a professional master of calligraphy. They will also have a chance to taste traditional Korean cuisine.” More…
Victoria Afonina, Account Manager for the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority: “We believe that MITT will help us to boost interest for the destination on the Russian market and, more importantly, it will allow us and our partners to meet regional travel companies. We will be presenting Monaco as the ideal destination for both leisure and MICE.” More…
Ignacio de las Cuevas, Marketing & Promotion Division, Tourism Board of Bhutan: “Bhutan is a unique destination, which has known how to preserve its main values, namely the natural and cultural ones over the centuries. Tourism in Bhutan is still in its early stages, but it is precisely this factor that makes the country special and worth visiting.” More…
Fadhil Alsaeagh, Managing Director of the Alrafidain Company for Travel and Tourism, Iraq: “We want to tell the Russians about the civilization of Iraq and the huge role that Iraq plays historically, naturally and archaeologically in the Middle East and all over the world. We are looking for new friends in Russia and we are looking forward to spreading our company in the Russian market.” More…
Luis Carballo, Corsatur – El Salvador: “We offer one of the ten best routes for sun and beach, and for volcanoes since the country has more volcanoes per km² than any other country on the planet. We also offer shopping, multi-destination through our connections that, being the heart of Central America, make us a natural hub.” More…
Amha Hailegeorgis, Third Secretary, Ethiopian Embassy, Moscow: “This year, we will have a tourism seminar for Russian tour operators working in African destinations. The Ethiopian Tour Club, composed of Russian tour operators working in Ethiopia, will give a presentation to their colleagues.” More…
Ismail A. Hamid, Egyptian Tourist Attache-Moscow: “We still focus on beach destinations to meet the interests of the summer tourists. We are also introducing spa tourism, water sports as a new trend, and cultural tourism along the Nile Valley.” More…
Alexandra Streltsova, Vice Director, Dominican Republic Tourism Board: “Traditionally, our destination is considered a beach destination, one of the favourites in the Russian market. Though we are supporting this image, now we have been implementing a new strategy of developing different niches: cultural tourism, diving, weddings, golf, extreme sports, luxury leisure, MICE, etc. This variety can satisfy any type of client.” More…
Chris Gregory, Sales Support, Travco LLP: “Travco’s primary aim is and will continue to be giving the best service to our valued clients and growing with them. As usual, at the exhibition, we will be presenting wholesale accommodation. We have now expanded our hotel inventory providing hotels globally.” More…
Janina Guenther, Regional Representative – Continental Europe, Tourism Fiji: “Apart from Tourism Fiji’s European Representative, we will welcome the inbound agency, Rosie Holidays from Fiji. The Russian market is very important to us – that is why we just started our first joint ventures with tour operators on the Russian market. We are focussing on the luxury segment with product- and catalogue extensions to promote Fiji as an ideal holiday destination.” More…
Maria Morel, Seychelles Tourism Board: “We are selling the Seychelles as an affordable yet luxury based tourism destination. However, this year, we are also trying to incorporate more than just sun, sea and sand, and we are striving to incorporate parts of our vibrant culture or what we would refer to as our ‘Creolness’ . This year, we are also expanding in terms of our presence. There are a total of 8 participating organisations including hotels and destination management companies. They are offering interesting promotions and diverse programmes tailored to this particular market.” More…
Angela Varela, Visit Greece: “We participate traditionally on a national level – we have approximately 70 co-exhibitors representing all sectors of the industry: hotels, regions of Greece, travel agencies, airlines, rent-a-cars and all other entities that constitute the Greek travel industry.” More…
Samir SOUSSI RIAH, Director, ONMT Russia: “Within 5 years, the whole of Russia, not just Moscow and St. Petersburg, will be talking about Morocco and it will become one of the leading destinations in the market. This year, we will be promoting Morocco as a remarkable Kingdom – its stability, nature and comfortable climate (it is sunny for 300 days of the year!)” More…
Alexander Panko, Country Manager Russia for VisitSweden: “We have quite popular destinations for Russian tourists: Stockholm, Åre, Dalarna, Östergötland, Ice Hotel, etc. We are going to develop this destination further in Russia. Also, we will introduce Russian travellers to new destinations, such as Göteborg.” More…
Anastasia Shatokhina, HKTB Moscow Representative Office: “HKTB is bringing 13 trade partners to MITT. Hong Kong is a destination which can offer everything Russians love: unique culture and heritage, exotic environment, highest level of service and entertainment for any age, unlimited world famous shopping opportunities and easy visa-free travel arrangements with lots of direct flight options. We welcome Russian travellers to Hong Kong – Asia’s World City!” More…
Ing. Adriana Behúňová, Events Department Manager of the Slovak Tourist Board: “The Slovak Tourist Board is promoting Slovakia as a winter and summer holiday destination and especially as the host country of the upcoming Ice Hockey World Championships.” More…
Olga Philippenko, Director of Tourism, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Innovation Norway: “We will be presenting Norwegian Fjords – the country’s calling card. The main points of attraction for tourists are: North Cape – the northernmost point in Europe, ski resorts, fishing and diving. Routes with visits to cities: Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, Tromsø and Alta. Excursions to the Sami settlement, the country’s indigenous population. The oldest cruise company in Norway, Hurtigruten, offers trips along the coast from Bergen to Kirkenes. In the summer, the midnight sun attracts tourists to Norway, and in the winter – the Northern Lights. A new area this year is diving.” More…
Bobby Thomas Koshy, Manager – Overseas Promotional Department, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Government of Sharjah: “We will be promoting new festivals, new hotels and direct flights to Sharjah in the near future by Sharjah’s national airline, Air Arabia. The Russian market is very important – 205,000 Russians visited Sharjah in 2010 – and there is huge potential for growth.” More…
Yaseen Khan, Managing Director for Look Asia Holidays Sri Lanka: “With the end of war, Sri Lanka is undergoing various progressive changes, especially in the tourism sector. Simultaneously, in our 15 years’ experience catering for the Russian market, we have witnessed a steady growth in the Russian outbound market.” More…
Manan Mahajan, Vice President of Yatra Exotic Routes: “We see ourselves growing and gaining a bigger share of the market, especially in the FIT, groups, MICE and luxury travel segments. This year, we will also be introducing our outdoor package to the Russian market, Ladakh.” More…
Armina Wolpert, Genearl Manager of Arminas Travel: “Mexico is a very attractive country for Russian people as it has so much to offer. We offer circuits, optional tours, transfers and hotel reservations all over Mexico. At the show, we are launching the Mexico Trio Circuit, which goes to cities in Mexico that are not in our other programmes.” More…
Viktor Mikhailov, General Director of Travis: “We will be presenting half-day excursions across Israel, which are new to the market. The Russian market makes up 80% of our company’s business and we’re looking to the future with confidence.” More…
Gennady Tomilin, Tourism Authority of Thailand: “We plan to present the new leisure destinations in Thailand: Ko Chang, North-Eastern Thailand, the beaches of Rayong and Phang-Nga provinces. We also will present special programmes for medical tourism, spa, sports (including golf, yachting, trekking and cycling).” More…
Vishal Jaiswal, for Caper Travel Company: “We will showcase Goa and Kerala, which are popular destinations in the Russian market. We will also showcase India’s Golden Triangle, Taj & Tiger, Himalayas & Ayurveda.” More…
Duleep Samaraweera, Director of Maldiviana – Sri Lanka: “We will be presenting hotel accommodation, transport, Russian-speaking guides and a meet & assist service at the airport for tourists visiting Sri Lanka from Russia & CIS.” More…
Edward Fokin, Managing Director for Double Bay Inbound Travel Pty. Limited: “At the exhibition, we will be presenting a few new very upmarket hotels and lodges in Australia and New Zealand and a number of exclusive tours. New Zealand is going to be re-launched as a major destination due to increased interest to this destination from the very top end of the market.” More…
Julia Diaz, Jaguar Aventura Tours: “This is the biggest tourism fair in Russia and we will be presenting a new special programme for esoterics. Russia is very important for us because many Russian tourists are now interested in visiting South America, in particular Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia, to discover the secrets of the Inca Empire.” More…
Darjan, Raluca Oana, HRS Events: “We are targeting three audience groups – our web service for end users (with increased site usability, new mobile apps for all platforms), hotel partner programmes for hoteliers; and our affiliate partner programme for web-services related to travel.” More…
Marcela Ricci, Larus Viaggi: “We offer a series of services for individual clients for cities and sea, and packages with flights included (new this year). We have been in the Russian market for 15 years. It is the most important market for our company.” More…
Pummy Singh, WildTrek Safaris: “This year, we are going to present our new catalogue on Africa. We will also present our new product: tours to Australia and Latin America.” More…
Fotis FAKES, Hotel Manager of Blue Domes & Mitsis Hotels: “We are the leading hotel chain in Greece, with 20 hotels, and we plan to keep this position for many years – we plan to open a new hotel next year and finalise all our renovations so that our 5,000 rooms are all new or renovated, and we will continue our acquisition of new hotels and new projects in the near future. At MITT, we will be presenting our new hotel, Laguna, in Crete, a luxury 5 star+ hotel.” More…
Pradeep Narayanan, Corporate General Manager of Sales & Marketing, The Travancore Heritage: “We will be representing the resorts and wellness sectors and we have a new property, which we will be showcasing in MITT for the first time. Russia is one of our major and upcoming markets and MITT allows us to meet the maximum people who are serious about doing business with our destination.” More…
Alexandra Andreev, Operation Department Manager for AIC Travel Group SA: “Aic Travel Group Sa will be presenting its on-line reservation system at www.aicgroup.biz, for tourism professionals only, with more than 80,000 hotels worldwide as well as other services. The new option in 2011 will be flight tickets.” More…
Mohamed Walid Rafrafi, Nouvel Air: “Nouvelair Tunisia is an airline linking Russia to Tunisia. Our service consists in the transport of passengers in safe conditions between the two countries. At the end of 2010, Nouvelair launched a new scheduled flight linking Moscow to Tunis that we will promote during MITT 2011.” More…
Click here for more information about Nouvel Air
Vlado Indzhov, Sales & Marketing Manager of Barcelo Royal Beach: “Our participation in MITT 2010 generated an increase of over 20% in our business with Russia & CIS. As a result, we are repeating our participation again this year, with an even richer offer of destinations and hotels within the Barceló Hotels & Resorts portfolio.” More…
Viktor Andronov, Mgr. GSA, Travel Trade & Associations, Hertz Russia: “We are going to present Hertz’s new image (totally new image style) and rates for 2011 for destinations in Europe, USA and Canada, Middle East, Africa and Australia. We are planning to hold training courses for travel agents’ staff engaged in booking car rental services for their customers.” More…
Olga Belyakova, Swiss Travel Company Open Up Moscow: “Open Up will be presenting our group excursion tours and new online booking system. MITT is the main Russian travel fair and the Russian market is number one for our company.” More…
Doriz Chew, Business Development Manager for Essence Asia PTE LTD: “My company is mainly working in the Russia/CIS tourism market. We plan to increase the numbers of tourists and introduce more destinations in Russia for Russian tourists. This year, we will be promoting a new destination, the Philippines, and new hotels in Singapore.” More…
Amanda Zirgulis, Sales, Marketing & Reservations Manager at the Dhevatara Beach Hotel: “Our aim is to introduce our new boutique hotel and our unique concept to such an extensive market. Dhevatara Beach Hotel is a new launch and encapsulates our belief in providing a high level of service and attention to detail in an understated way – our own take on barefoot luxury and on natural living.” More…
Click here for more information about the Dehevatara Beach Hotel.
Nathalie Bonini, Sales department, Liven Up Nice: “This is our first time at MITT. Russia is a new market and it is increasing each year. We will be presenting some excursions/sightseeing tours with minibuses, boat tours and Ferrari tours on the French Riviera.” More…
Click here for a brochure on Liven Up Nice.
Dammika B. Ekanayake, Manager of Jetwing Travels (PVT) LTD: “We offer beach holidays, general round tours, eco-tourism, Ayurveda, special interest tours (archelogical, Buddist, cultural, wildlife, camping, incentive, adventure, etc.) sports tourism and tailor-made holidays.” More…
Evguenia Slioudikova, Tawi Travel: “We will be presenting an inbound service in Colombia for the Russian market. Russia is a main market for us – at the moment, we are the only company in Colombia to take the Russian market seriously.” More…
Kean Chua Guan Hwee, Destination Sales, Resorts World Marketing Pte Ltd: “At the exhibition, we will be showcasing various leisure activities as an integrated resort (IR), such as Universal Studios Singapore, Voyage De La Vie show, Hard Rock Hotel, etc. More…
Ms Sitti Lotfi, Director of Sales and Marketing, The Sentosa Resort & Spa: “We will be promoting the wellness programmes at our Seven Eden Wellness Centre, which is a gateway to preventive medicine. Located next to Spa Botanica, its facilities include a lifestyle gymnasium, a workout studio, traditional Chinese medicine consultations and acupuncture, active-ageing consultations and comprehensive blood tests for optimum health.” More…
