The world recession has been particularly hard on Russia’s tourism industry. Recently, many Russian destinations becoming more accessible to foreigners and many Russians had been traveling more due to higher incomes spawning rapid growth. The sharp contraction has bankrupted many enterprises that had invested and borrowed heavily to accomodate the rapid growth.

A key indicator for tourism, the passenger flow at airports, shows a depressing picture for the industry. Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, for example, has seen 10.3 per cent fewer passengers compared to last year, while the situation in regional airports is even worse.

And across the country, international flights over the first seven months of the year were 16.5 per cent down compared to the same period last year, while domestic flights were down 17.3 per cent. Changes in seat occupancy were minimal, however - airlines cut back on flights to keep seat occupancy above 70 per cent.

Industry players insist, however, that things aren’t as bad as they feared, as discounts by hotels have cut the costs for tourists.

“Earlier this year, the mood in the industry was disturbed and even apocalyptic,” said Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Russian Tour Operators Association.

Hotels had lowered their prices by 30 per cent or 40 per cent, she said.

“Prices in tours to popular destinations fell by an average of 15 per cent to 20 per cent. Although the price drop was not very significant in roubles, these prices still proved attractive for Russian holidaymakers,” she said. (Moscow News)

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Russia has big plans for Russkiy island that is just off the Vladivostok coast. It’s slated to host a summit in 2012.Resorts and even a movie studio are planned.

Just off the coast of the Russian city of Vladivostok there’s a forgotten island. For much of its population of 5,000, it feels like the mainland is oceans away. Pacific winds can be unpredictable and sometimes no one can leave the island for days.

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In addition the wood and paper mache goods, the Russian craft of intricate lacquer painting comes in the for of metal trays. While some products of similar appearance found in the souvenier markets are created with stencils or decals, the genuine article is painted freehand by the artist. Close inspection will usually reveal the imposters.

The handicraft of painted metal trays appeared in the mid 18th century in the Ural, where metallurgical factories of the Demidovs were located (Nizhny Tagil, Nevyansk, Verkhneivinsk (now Novouralsk), and only in the first half of the 19th century the trays started to be made in villages of Moscow Province, such as Zhostovo, Troitskoe, Novoseltsevo, and others. Soon the Moscow handicraft took the lead. Zhostovo painting owed a lot to the Lukutins lacquered miniature on papier-mâché, produced in the nearby Fedoskino. Presently production of metal trays with lacquered painting is concentrated in Zhostovo Village of the Moscow Region and in Nizhny Tagil. (Russia IC)

If you’re interested in learning the art, there’s even a tour operator offering classes taught by the masters.

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There’s a place not far from Moscow known as the city of brides. The Wayfarer starts by observing the city and looking how a textile mill works. Then he finds himself in the model agency where he easily wins girls’ hearts. So, if there are so many wannabe brides here, why shouldn’t the Wayfarer try to find a bride for himself? Take a look at the difficult choice of the Wayfarer in the city of Ivanovo.

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Gzhel ceramics take their name from the area where they are made southeast of Moscow. The white porcelain is painted with cobalt by hand in traditional Russian designs as it has been done for centuries. Gzel is common in just about all Russian markets at very reasonable prices. Even a small piece makes a great gift or a unique souvenir.

Gzhel follows old Russian traditions of folk arts and crafts. Gzhel masters paint every item exclusively by hand. The painting is made with cobalt, which acquires the characteristic blue colour in the technological process.

The word “gzhel” is extremely popular nowadays, associating with beauty and harmony, fairy tale and reality. The distinctive Russian chinaware with ornate blue painting and multicolored majolica are now well known not in Russia only, but abroad as well. Gzhel artworks attract lovers of beauty due to rich fancy and high craftsmanship of their creators. Gzhel is considered to be the cradle and the main centre of Russian ceramics. This is where its best features took shape and the highest achievements of folk art developed. (Russia IC)

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Voronezh is a large city in south-western Russia, not far from Ukraine. The Wayfarer explores the history and life of the city. He visits the local stud-farm and tries his hand at the profession of blacksmith there. He explores the Archeological Museum and aircraft plant. He also plays cards with the locals and makes traditional Russian dishes.

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