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Egypt tops list of travel hot spots for Russian tourists

India’s Goa is a newcomer in top ten

MOSCOW, January 27. /ITAR-TASS/. Travel activity of Russian citizens reduced in early 2014, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said on its website on Monday, also noting changes in top ten most popular destinations.

Egypt tops the list of travel hotspots for Russian tourists, while India’s Goa is a newcomer in top ten.

“In December 2013, Egypt remained in the top although ahead of New Year and Christmas holidays the Russian Federal Tourism Agency and Foreign Ministry recommended tourists not to buy tours to that country following a December terror act,” the ATOR analytical service said. “According to Yandex, Russia’s largest web search engine, Thailand ranks second among most popular destinations for Russian travelers despite tensions. The leader of winter, New Year tours, Finland, ranks third. As compared to November it lost almost 25% of its demand, but retained its position.”

According to a survey conducted by the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, in December Turkey takes fourth position in top ten, while Italy comes fifth, leaving behind last month’s leader, the Czech Republic.

In December-early January, the United Arab Emirates ranked sixth among most popular travel destinations, moving up from seventh position over the same period last year. Vietnam is seventh in top ten, demonstrating a slight decline in demand even in a low season.

The Czech Republic ranks eighth, losing a half of its demand and its fifth position. Greece that lost also a half of its demand is ninth on this list. Analysts say Greece as well as Turkey is interesting for those travelers who book their summer holidays long in advance.

India’s Goa finishes the top 10 list of best destinations for Russians, unexpectedly shifting from last year’s fifteenth position.