About the Fair

Otdykh LEISURE Moscow

International Trade Fair for Tourism and Travel was launched for the first time in 1995. Over the year's the exhibition established itself as the most important tourism event on the Russian market which traditionally marks the beginning of the winter season in the industry and set up trends for the coming season.

EUROEXPO, the organizer of Otdykh LEISURE 2007 would like first of all to thank all our industry partners who supported the 13th edition of the show and decided to join the project despite of the same name competitive event and confusion caused by this fact. Thank you for trusting us and for staying with us in this hard year.

Otdykh LEISURE 2007 in IEC Crocus Expo proved its status as the leading autumn tourism event in Russia and was undoubtedly considered by both exhibitors and visitors as THE leading professional autumn tourism forum in Russia.

In 2007 the Otdykh LEISURE show was again successfully integrated into MaTIW Moscow Autumn Travel Industry Week together with MIBEXPO RUSSIA Exhibition and Conference on the meetings industry and LUXURY Leisure exhibition including 3rd Spa & Health Conference.

MaTIW was officially opened by a high level delegation including Mr. Vladimir Strzhalkovky, the Head of Federal Tourism Agency of Russian Federation and Mr. Ace Durano the Minister for Tourism of the Philippines, who used this official event to declare the 21 days visa-free-period for Russian nationalities coming to Philippines. "We signed a memorandum of agreement with the Russian government to simplify border controls to make travel between our two countries hassle free. Removing the barriers that impede travel to the Philippines will definitely contribute to our aggressive posturing in the Russian market place," he said.

1,279 companies from 116 countries and regions of the world exhibited at this global tourism forum. 75,000 visitors – 82% of which were trade professionals – took part in the comprehensive program of MaTIW.

Among services that were again offered by the show organizers was a free Internet Cafe for exhibitors and visitors sponsored by the Association of Tourist Technologies Support. Additionally, all trade visitors and exhibitors were offered to use a special service by the ZhelDorExpedition forwarding company; they could send all materials, catalogues etc collected at the show to their offices in the Russian Regions or in the city centre of Moscow directly from the exhibition venue. According to ZhelDorExpedition over 29 tonnes of materials were forwarded during the exhibition to 72 cities and regions of Russia. The post service was again sponsored by Tourbazar.

Otdykh LEISURE 2007 – the show

With a record number of 1038 exhibitors (583 International and 455 Russian) Otdykh LEISURE 2007 this year was again an excellent tool to promote newest tourism services to the rapidly growing market. With 16 billion dollar spent by 7million Russian tourists in 2005, Russians are supposed to be the highest spenders in the world.

As a traditional begin of the new winter season Otdykh LEISURE 2007 offered a clear regional structure for the better orientation in the exhibition pavilion.

Hall 4 hosted Russian Regions, Russian Key Tour operator’s incl. Natalie Tours, Capital Tour, Tez Tour etc. as well as traditionally strongly presented European Countries and Turkey. Italian companies were again consolidated under the stand of ENIT, Czech Tourism invited tourism professional to discuss cooperation in the Czech Cafe integrated on the stand and Slovak Tourism Board doubled the space to place all co exhibiting companies. TURESPANA presented a new stand concept and was one of the most attractive stands with bright colours and warm atmosphere; Lanzarote Tourism Board joined the Spanish stand for the first time and celebrated so its debut on the Russian Market. Popular winter destinations like Andorra, Norway and Switzerland again offered new packages for winter trips and ski holidays.

Being undoubtedly the number one exhibition for all long-haul, exotic and winter sun destinations Otdykh LEISURE 2007 broke all the records in the number and the variety of countries and destinations presented.

The outstanding atmosphere in Hall 3 was created by beautiful individual stands, dance performances and other activities. Africa, Asia, Arabic Countries, Australia, South America and the Caribbean were presented by national and regional tourism offices and a great number of companies.

With even bigger stands of the Tourism Boards from China, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, Asia was fully presented also by newcomers such as Mauritius TB and Myanmar Tourism.

Thailand extended its exhibition space to place tourism authorities from Pattaya and Phuket and Indonesia managed to bring over 25 leading tour operators, hotels and resorts from Bali and other parts of the country.

With 30% increase in exhibition space and intense marketing strategy in Russia, Philippines offered an outstanding participation and made their 150sqm stand to an exotic island with dance and music performances, spa treatments and new proposals for visa-free trips for Russians (announced at the official opening).

National dance performances and new travel packages were offered to Russian tourism professionals by Sri Lanka Tourism Board; a great number of Indian Companies participated with India Tourism or rented their own stands.

Arabian Hospitality was again proved by traditionally strong participation from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Egypt, Fujairah, Oman and Sharjah Tourism. Prominent stands of these destinations were surrounded by most important Russian operators like Mostravel, Anex, Fresh Travel etc.

Otdykh LEISURE is well known on the Russian Market for its exclusive South American and Caribbean participants. Due to a long tradition and autumn dates only this show offers its visitors a chance to meet a great number of companies and tourism boards from Brasil, Cuba, Chile, Dominican Republic, Mexico etc. Charter flights to beaches of the Dominican Republic, Brazilian Carnival packages, Cancun Holidays and exclusive North Pole cruises were soled to Russian tourism trade. Great interest and promising contacts were recorded by the newcomer of the show – Nomads of the Sea from Chile.

The Otdykh LEISURE exhibition was again a unique chance to meet companies exhibiting with Australia Tourism, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda Tourism and to meet partners from Kenya, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles etc.

The unique programme

Undoubtedly, the unique program of MaTIW offered the best professional education opportunities. Its participants learned about the newest developments and trends in the industry and met key players and well known experts at the 4th International MICE Conference MIBEXPO RUSSIA and the 4th International SPA & Health Conference.

Professional growth and importance of these events were stated by international experts.

A new online appointment system which is unique for Russia was for the first time applied for MIBEXPO and LUXURY Leisure Exhibitions. These 2 exhibitions were highly appreciated by hosted and VIP buyers. Ms. Veronika Galkina from L’Oreal Paris was one of the satisfied hosted buyers: “It was very helpful from professional point of view. The work process for hosted buyers group was organized very well, and we have made very good contacts and learned a lot at the conference and master classes. Thank you very much!”

We thank all our partners for cooperation and support. See you in Crocus Expo in 2008!