With a plethora of under-exploited natural, urban and cultural destinations, an increasing number of travelers and businesses are looking to tap Russia's vast potential. Beyond increasing in-bound travel, Russia's strengthening jet-set spenders are exploring new destinations on a global scale. As a result, the country is the Europe's leading outbound travel market, and the third fastest growing in the world. Needless to say, there is room to exploit this niche.

The Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition is Russia's largest travel trade show. Organized for the fifteenth consecutive year, the event is ranked by the UNWTO as one of the top five most important travel trade exhibitions in the world. The fair draws 118 participating countries and regions, exhibitors from over 57 countries and more than 70 national or regional tourism boards. Breaking all previous records, the event in 2007 saw 2,700 exhibitors promoting their products and services to attending audiences that exceeded 81,000. New to the 2008 edition will be representation from the Dominican Republic, Uganda, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Some 94 percent of last year's participants indicated their intention to return to the event, the next four-day event will feature long-time inbound and domestic travel tour operators, hotels and hotel chains, airlines, cruise companies, insurance companies and banks, national tourism offices and business and incentive tourism operators.

Making its debut at the next fair is the 'Partner Country' scheme, a special sponsorship package designated to Turkey, a country ranking on the top tourist destination for Russian travelers. Occupying an entire pavilion, Turkey will be represented by 50 of its leading travel industry companies, which will also promote the 2008's 'Turkish Year of Culture' in Russia.

"Today, around two million Russian tourists visit Turkey and the number of visitors coming to see our natural and historical wealth multiplies every year," said Nermin Batmaz, Moscow Culture and Tourism Information Counselor.

"This tourist satisfaction has brought momentum to the socio-cultural relations between Turkey and Russia, and we hope that MITT will continue to boost the tourism sector, which is a driving force behind peaceful relations between nations."

Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition
Dates: March 18-21, 2009
Venue: Expocentr
Address: Krasnaya Presnya
City, Country: Moscow, Russia
Telephone: [49] 30.3038.2275 /-2266
Website