VisitBritain joins politicians and business leaders in London next week to showcase the best of Britain to potential Russian investors and visitors. Around 600 high-spending Russians will be at the QEII Centre for the 7th Annual Russian Economic Forum (18-20 April 2004) to hear about trade and investment opportunities in the UK and meet a wide range of exhibitors including VisitBritain.
Hundreds of businesses in a broad range of industry sectors from Russia will be represented, enabling UK companies to boost business with this rapidly developing market. The largest event of its kind in the world, the Forum brings together Russian and international CEO’s, political leaders, journalists and other key opinion formers. Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, CBI Director General, Digby Jones and British Airways chief executive, Rod Eddington will all speak during the three-day event.

VisitBritain’s Head of Business Tourism, Jeremy Brinkworth, said:

“Britain is an increasingly popular destination for Russian travellers - they spent £122 million here in 2002 alone - and in 2003, VisitBritain has pro-actively increased its marketing activities in the country including launching a Russian-language version of our website, www.visitbritain.com and appointing a dedicated specialist for the Russian market, based in our regional office for ‘Europe Central’.

“The Russian Economic Forum is a high profile opportunity for VisitBritain to raise awareness among Russia’s business elite of the experiences to be enjoyed here in Britain and is particularly important as business visitors often bring their partners or families with them and want to enjoy leisure pursuits as well.”

117,000 Russian visitors came to the UK in 2002, a rise of eight per cent. On average, Russians stay in the UK for 12 nights, 60 per cent of them in London, although the South and Heart of England regions are also popular. Many of these visitors are looking for four- and five-star accommodation, shopping and entertainment in addition to iconic attractions and are drawn to London’s reputation as a leading commercial, cultural and fashion capital.

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With most of Russia’s largest business enterprises sending representatives, VisitBritain’s stand at the Russian Economic Forum will highlight the luxury product to be found in Britain, including hotels, country house properties, attractions and venues. Information will also be available on all that Britain can offer for meetings, conferences, exhibitions and out-of-the-ordinary experiences as employee incentives.
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