Taking into account the multiplier effect, the Russian travel sector now comprises 6.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The net share of the travel sector now stands at 3 percent. The number of tourists in Russia in 2010 was 32 million, only 1 percent over the figure for 2009.

TUI Russia and C.I.S., the first major international operator to get into the Russian and Ukrainian travel services markets, entered into a transaction to purchase VKO Group. In its turn, VKO Group consists of VKO travel that provides tours outside of Russia, as well as of the VKO Club network of tour agencies. 

The two educational establishments won a grant to carry out a project on Capacity Building Partnership to Improve Tourism Education, Research, and Industry Outreach. The three-year project envisions conducting student exchange programs.