The Russian Federation is currently one of the world's fastest growing outbound travel markets, and this growth seems set to continue. Russia is the ninth biggest outbound travel market in the world in terms of expenditure, generating US$ 22.3 billion in spending abroad and 34.3 million outbound trips in 2007. While trip volume rose by 9.4 per cent per year over the period 2000-2007, expenditure increased by an average of 14 per cent annually during that period. There is no doubt that Russians are very enthusiastic travellers, largely due to the pent-up demand for foreign travel. To better understand the structure and trends of this market is the aim of the new ETC/UNWTO report The Russian Outbound Travel Market with a Special Insight into the Image of Europe as a Destination. This report identifies key trends in Russia outbound travel over the past five years or more - including the market's size and value, growth in trip volume and spending, purpose of trip, the structure and role of the travel trade, online distribution, and other factors driving demand. In addition, the report provides information on government policy affecting outbound travel, notably visa issues and traffic rights for foreign airlines operating to/from the country. All this information is critical to helping NTAs/NTOs and commercial operators plan ahead with greater foresight, providing guidance on both the short-term opportunities and the longer-term potential for investment in the Russian market.

The International Conference on Metropolitan Tourism which was held in Shanghai, China, from 17-18 November 2006 was the first of UNWTO's three international conferences aimed at providing a blueprint for the development of city tourism in Asia. It was organized in conjunction with the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Shanghai Institute of Tourism. Discussions centred on various aspects of metropolitan tourism such as capacity-building, safety and security, demand and supply, sustainability in city development, competitiveness of cities and the effect of large festivals and special events on tourism development. Speakers in Shanghai also analysed issues ranging from how best to market and promote cities, (especially to important growth sectors such as the conventions and MICE markets) to the benefits of staging mega events. They also discussed making tourism an integral part of the planning and development process and how to involve the local community.