Se inaugura la sexta exposición “Intourmarket” en Moscú

One of the largest travel trade exhibitions “Intourmarket” has been opened at the Crocus Expo in Moscow on March 12.

According to forecasts, more than 75 thousand people will visit the exhibition this year. At the exhibition are presented 135 stands of different countries: from Egypt and Thailand to Norway, Mongolia and USA. Turkey became the country-partner of this year.

The exhibition, which runs under the motto “Time to travel in Russia”, will present to foreign guests 80 Russian regions. And as proof of this motto on the first day of the “ITM-2011” a presentation of the portal “Welcome to Russia” took place.

In particular, the portal will provide an electronic map of the country, with its help it will be possible to not only plan routes and calculate the time on the road, but also to plan excursions, select hotels.

In addition, foreign visitors could get information about history, culture and climate of the selected part of Russia.

Portal Welcome 2 Russia was set up jointly by the ministries and departments, such as Minturizm, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Rosturizm and others.

Assessing Russia's capabilities in the global tourism market, the general secretary of the All-Russia Tourism Organization of U.N.O. Taleb Rifai noted: “Russia is very important for us because it is a country with a potentially large market for outbound tourism. European countries and the U.S. have reached a saturation point, its tourism market will grow, but only slightly, while the tourism market of Russia will grow significantly.”

Also UNWTO Secretary General emphasized that Russia should work to increase tourism. “To reach it the tourism product has to be developed in all regions of Russia. Natural, cultural, human resources, which you have a lot throughout your country, are needed to be use”, – said Mr. Rifai.

As an example of a region with great potential, UNWTO Secretary General named the North Caucasus, recalling its natural and cultural identity, which would certainly attract foreign visitors.

The exhibition “ITM” is held in Moscow for the sixth time. This year's exhibition is supported by the Russian government, Rosturizm, the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, ATOR and the Russian Union of Tourist Industry.

Among the participants are some of the largest tour operators of Russia. In particular, such as “TEZ TOUR”, “Coral travel”, “Neva”, “Wind Rose” and many others.