Russia’s number one exhibition for the travel industry; MITT is officially opened on Wednesday, March 16, 2011.
Over the last 18 years, MITT has proved an effective and efficient way to build awareness amongst the local tourism trade and consumers. The event covers eight pavilions in Moscow’s most central exhibition center, Expocentre.
MITT welcomed a record number of trade visitors last year; an increase of 17% over 2009. In total, 46,300 unique visitors came to the show, and an official attendance of 79,850 was recorded last year.
One of this year’s major attractions is the Turkey stand. Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister attended the official opening of MITT 2011 and later opened the Turkey stand. Turkey stand, covering an impressive 1,254 sqm, is promoting country’s offerings to Russian tourists. Russia is Turkey’s second largest market; a total of 3.1 million Russian tourists visited Turkey.
79% of Russians population hasn’t been in a country abroad and Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry is concentrating on promoting Turkey especially for this market. Deputy Undersecretary at Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Özgür Özaslan said that they expected 15% increase in Russian tourist arrivals for 2011.
MITT will feature a number of new destinations this year, including Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Botswana, El Salvador, Iraq, Korea, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the USA. Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Taiwan and Singapore will also be returning to the show after a year’s absence. This year, Israel moves to Pavilion 2, Hall 1, to join the Mediterranean destinations, while Malta moves to Pavilion 2, Hall 3. The Turkish Ministry of Tourism will occupy a whole pavilion (Hall 1, Pavilion 8), with the Turkish tour operators next door in Hall 2. As ever, there will be a large number of Italian companies presented on a stand of 1000 square meters, organized by ENIT. The Greek Tourism Board continues to have a massive presence in Hall 1, Pavilion 2, with two stands of over 1,000 square meters.
Last year, the medical tourism sector proved a popular attraction for visitors and it will return to Pavilion 2, Hall 3 this year. A medical Congress, MHTC, will complement the exhibition and feature presentations by key representatives of the sector.
Medical tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Russian travel industry, as the ever more health-conscious population seeks more advanced technology, better healthcare, or faster medical services abroad. The preferred destinations for medical tourists are the Middle East (with 58% of the market) and Europe (with 37% of the market).
more information: http://www.mitt.ru/en/
