Tourism : Russian market, a priority of the Romanian tourism industry

The Russian market currently is a priority in the strategy of the Romanian tourism industry deployed to attract foreign tourists particularly to Romania's health, spa and wellness resorts, Chair of the National Tourism Authority (ANT) Anca Pavel-Nedea told an informal news conference on Thursday. "Officials of the National Tourism Employers' Associations (ANAT) and hoteliers have come to me, insisting that I should set up a delegation for Russia, where to meet the important tour operators of the Russian Federation in order to generate incoming business for the Romanian tourism. That is a huge potential. Given the international and regional contexts, all countries that want to win in the incoming business are fighting for a slice of this newly emerged pie. Romania's asset is its positioning and the fact that some regional tourism markets have fell and some relations were severed. We are standing a chance of getting some of the market," Pavel-Nedea explained. ANT wants to start up in the Russian market with holiday packages focused on health, wellness and cosmetic tourism, without neglecting travel products related to mountainous and seaside areas. "Russian tourists are huge consumers of what it means health, wellness and specific cosmetic tourism - anti-ageing treatments and complex aesthetic treatments. They would pay very much to come for recreation, to stay two-three weeks. Russians also have a loyal behaviour; when they come once and like it, they will return. Compared with other consumers from emerging markets, Russian tourists come several times a year. There are very many positive aspects that we have to use to draw them in by customised packages," Pavel Nedea explained. Spiritual tourism also has a potential to attract Russian visitors because they are very religious and want to tour monasteries.