Go east young man –or woman. That’s the rallying cry summer holidaymakers will be heeding next summer. Holidaymakers in search of a perfect getaway from the looming recession and dismal grey skies are seeing red and opting to go east. That’s according to destinationRussia –one of the leading UK based websites for hotels, visas and travel within Russia. The company has reported that bookings to the region since 2005 have increased by almost 45 percent. Russia’s second city, St Petersburg ranks the most popular among visitors. The travel specialist has seen 57 percent of its Russian bookings made to St Petersburg and 37 percent to the country’s capital, Moscow. The country is also proving popular with younger, more affluent travelers. destinationRussia found the region is attracting thousands in their thirties and 30 to 40 percent of the website’s bookings are by those traveling on business. “As the figures show Russia is growing rapidly as a tourist destination which we are extremely pleased about, says Martin Chiazza, founder of destinationrussia.com. “In the past, Russia used to attract predominantly business travelers, whereas now it is young travelers keen to experience the popular sights, such as the Kremlin in Moscow and St Isaac’s Cathedral in St Petersburg.” |