More Russians going abroad than ever before: Report

Moscow: The flow of tourists in Russia grew by 42.7 per cent in the first six months of 2010, Russia's statistics service stated.

The flow of tourists grew by almost 1,625,000 trips, which is by 42.7 per cent in the first six months of the current year, the country's statistics service, Rosstat reported.

"This is a dynamics we have not registered since early 2000s," Russia's Union of tourist industry said. Over the first six months, Russians made over 5,428,000 trips. Egypt ranks first among the destinations preferred. This year, the country managed to outgo Turkey, which had been traditionally the most popular place Russians chose for their holidays.

"None of the 37 countries where dozens of thousands Russians go over a year, has shown a negative dynamics," the source said. "Even Poland, where the number of Russian tourists slumped in the past due to the new visa requirements, has shown a growth of 23.6 per cent."

Along with the leaders – Thailand, Egypt and Montenegro – there are Lithuania 92.3 per cent growth and Latvia 59.8 per cent – the countries, which require Russians to obtain Shengen visas.

Those two countries offer European level of service at reasonable price, the source said. At the same time, Latvia's air companies offer competitive fares for flights via Riga to major European destinations, and Russians use the service to get to Europe.

The situation with Vilnius is similar, the source said. The number of Russian tourists who plan and organise their trips without tourist companies is growing, too, the source added.