France is Trying to Attract Russian Tourists to Inexpensive "Terra Incognita"

04.07.2009 — News

THE SVERDLOVSK OBLAST.

Consulates of European countries in Ekaterinburg note a drop in the number of tourists in the time of the World financial crisis. In particular, the number of visas to France and Germany issued in the first half of 2009 has dropped by 10-15%.

French diplomats are trying to attract the interest of the Urals people to inexpensive, in comparison to Paris, Nice, and Courchevel, regions of their country. Corners of France little known to Russians are ready to offer high quality and inexpensive hotels, superb air, and exquisite cuisine and wines.

Claude Crouail, the Consul General, told RusBusinessNews that South-West France from Bordeaux to Toulouse, all Burgundy, Bretagne and Normandy in the West may be considered "terra incognita". Popularisation of these holiday destinations leaves the French a chance to attract additional tourists from Russia in the summer season. The French Consulate General in Ekaterinburg issued about 16 thousand visas in 2008, while in the January-June period of the current year - only 6,500.