Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST): the number of foreigners trips to Russia for the purpose of tourism increased by 10% in the first half year

“The number of trips taken by foreigners to Russia with the purpose of tourism in the first half of 2016 increased by 10% in comparison with the same period of the last year and amounted to 1.2 million” - the press-secretary of the Russian Union of Travel Industry Irina Turina reported the portal "Interfax-Tourism" on Friday. The TOP-10 includes: China (275 thousand. an increase of 34%), Germany (141 thousand, 10% of increase), the US (73.4 thousand, plus 15%), South Korea (60 thousand, plus 34%), Israel (56 thousand, plus 10.7%), United Kingdom (52 thousand, plus 7%), France (48.6 thousand, plus 20%), Italy (45.4 thousand, plus 16%), Finland (30.6 thousand, plus 11%), Spain (22.4 thousand, minus 12%). “Most countries of TOP-25 showed a positive dynamic. The exception are Spain, Japan (-30%), Brazil (-16.4%) and Austria (-3.3%) "- said I.Turina. She noted that the border statistics confirmed the major trend of the last year - rapid growth of new, mostly Asian and Middle Eastern markets and recovery of European. "The growth rates leaders are - Iran (+ 98%), India (+ 59%), South Korea (+ 34.5%), China (+ 34%). In Europe these are Estonia, Switzerland, Latvia, France, Italy "- said I.Turina.