When Russians travel, they like to spend a lot of money, they like to stay in luxury accommodation, and they stay for awhile – generally 2 to 3 weeks at a stretch. Basically, they want to be pampered and enjoy themselves and are not afraid to pay in order to meet those ends.

Russia may seem as far away and different from Hawaii as could be possible, but that is where the visionary efforts of the Hawaii Tourism Association sees this dichotomy as pure opportunity. Why wouldn’t Russians want to travel from their mostly cold weather environs to warmth of the islands that have been seen in movies and television for decades?

This is why the Hawaii Tourism Association (HiTA) has been exhibiting at a Russian trade show for two years running. While at the latest show, HiTA President Juergen T. Steinmetz observed the efforts and Alexey Kats, exhibiting for World Tourism Services.

Mr. Steinmetz said, “I was impressed with Alexeys organization, and learned that his company had been working with one of our ICTP [International Council of Tourism Partners] founding members in Bali for 10 years. Mr. Kats is a pioneer for helping Russians traveling to Bali.”

In speaking with Alexey Kats, he indicates that interest in travel to the Aloha State is definitely there. “Due to the fact that interest of Russian tourists to the United States is growing every year, I believe it is important and necessary to offer to potential customers a new direction for the ultimate high-quality recreation,” said Alexey Kats of World Tourism Services.

This is how HiTA came to appoint Mr. Kats as an Ambassador for the Hawaii Tourism Association. Mr. Steinmetz said, “Knowing that Hawaii should be on the forefront of this travel trend, and forming an alliance with Mr. Kats and World Tourism Services, it was a natural that we ask him to join our efforts. We are so pleased that he agreed to become a member of HiTA’s Ambassador team.”