Lastminute.com report the growing Russian holiday market is eclipsing that of both Britain and Germany, noting how this has changed hoteilers marketing angles.
(1888PressRelease) September 18, 2008 - Research from lastminute.com shows Russian holidaymakers' willingness to spend money means hoteliers are now targeting the Russian market by offering its tour operators better deals than they would to British and German Operators.
This has paved the way for the usual battle between the Brits and Germans for the sun lounges of Europe evolving into a three-way competition, with the Russians taking over hotels to boss the beaches and pools
Beforhand, the British holidayers only had to contend with Germans waking up early and reserving the best subathing positions with their towels and accessories.
However, the Russians have opted for a much more brash stategy by paying hotel staff to reserve the sunbeds in advance - making them a hit with the hard working hotel staff.
This popularity extends to hoteliers and local businesses, as the Russian spend far more than the British and German tourists.
In fact marketing analytics show that many hoteliers have taken the drastic step of cutting out the German market altogether.
The deals being offered to Russian tour operators are so good a number of tour operaters in the UK - including Thomson, Kuoni and Inghams - have already taken the step redirecting considerable resources to service the Russian tourism market.
Early indicators show that major UK travel brands Thomas Cook and Virgin are set to follow suit
Another advantage the Russians seem to provide hoteliers is that they will be willing to accept a lower customer service standard than more travelled tourists such as the British or Germans.
Two decades after Communism fell, a strong Russian economy has bought wealth and prosperity to many of its 145 million citizens.
Previously Russians were restriced from travelling, now Russians are taking advantage of their newfound freedoms by travelling to Europe's most sought out holiday hotspots.
There favourite holiday choices so far are Turkey, Egypt, Spain, Italy, and Greece - all made popular by British holidaymakers and all in lastminute.com's top 10 summer holiday destinations.
Industry statistics show that more Russians choose Turkey as a holiday destination than any other nation with 1.5 million every year making the most of the cheap rates available there.
In many Turkish tourist resorts, the hotel cabaret is performed in Russian while nightclubs play almost exclusively Russian pop music to entertain their growing Russian clientele.
Russia is also set to overtake the British and become the biggest tourism source market for Egypt and its expanding Red Sea Riviera, which features the resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Taba.
Roughly one million British and Russian holidayers visit Egypt every year, however Russia's tourist market is set to overtake this in 2008.
There have been widespread trouble with Russian holiday operators over booking their quotas in Egypt. The Egyptian Tourism Ministry has accused Russian Holiday operators of using their strength and expecting the hoteliers to make room for them.
According to the ETM, the number of holidayers who went to Egypt last September grew by a massive 45%.
lastminute.com UK Managing Director John Bevan said: "The battle for Europe's sun beds will be more intense than ever this summer as the Russians establish themselves as the most prominent outbound tourism market in Europe."
"The hoteliers focus for the Russians market, mainly at the expense of German tourists, has changed the in-resort holiday experience."
"Holidaying Brits will have to have their sun bed strategy finalised before departing if they want to come back with a tan."
Who is lastminute.com?
lastminute.com pioneered the online travel and leisure industry by offering people a 5* lifestyle for 3* prices, selling everything from flights, gifts, gig tickets, restaurants, theatre tickets and hotels at lastminute.com.
Since its birth in 1998, conceived by the vision of cutting edge entrepreneurs Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox, lastminute.com has come a long way. We now operate in 13 European countries, USA and all. lastminute.com exists to help people make the most of their free time with new, creative and unexpected ideas for every single day.
In July 2005, lastminute.com and its group of companies including car hire gurus Holiday Autos and travel agents' best kept secret Medhotels.com all joined the Sabre Holdings Group.
Lastminute.com report the growing Russian holiday market is eclipsing that of both Britain and Germany, noting how this has changed hoteilers marketing angles. 
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