Almost 4 million Russians engaged in travel industry

The research shows that in 2011 tourism contributed 3.4 trillion rubles (5.9% GOP) into the Russian economy. It is more than the contribution of the car and chemical industries (4.8 and 3.3 respectively) and telecommunications (2.9). As for direct and indirect working places, tourism takes over chemical and financial sectors. Besides, tourism is one of the most fast-growing branches of the Russian economy. Its average annual growth has been 4% in the past 10 years.

According to the research in 2011 foreign tourist brought 517.2 billion rubles into the Russian budget. It is 30.5% of all Russian services export and 2.9% of all goods and services export.

The President of WYYC David Scowsill considers 2013 an important year for Russia because it will host the summit of G20 ministers of tourism and will complete preparations for 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. «It is a perfect time for the country to draw attention to the growing tourism industry, a well-developing sector which is creating employment. Also to provide enough investments for this industry in order for the important events to succeed and the tourism to keep growing», he noted.