Tourism and Experience Management Centre of Expertise in Savonlinna has taken as it’s priority to get familiar with the use of social media in Russia. Russians are among the most active users of (internet?) social media in the world. What kind of opportunities does it give to tourism sector and how can it be used as a potential e-marketing tool?

In marketing of tourism and experience products social media reciprocates word-of-mouth metods in the world of electronic communication. It is by far the most effective way to spread product and destination information directly by customers to customers.

Most Russian Internet users live either in Moscow or in St.Petersburg. In total 30 million Russians use the internet, from which 48% do it daily. Men (52%) use the web more than women (48%). Mostly connection is established from home  - rather than work or school. The browsers Opera, Firefox and Explorer are equally used.

The biggest group of users are highly educated segment in the age group of 18 to 34. Internet is mostly used for reading/sending e-mails and reading national or international news. After that comes listening to the music and watching movies. Social networks are used by 16% of all the users. Thus the social media community in Russia equals the population of Finland or Norway (ca. 5 million).

The target group is young, active, large, and definitely travel oriented. Therefore it is a very important potential customer group for the tourism and experience industry.

 

Statistics are from 2009.

 

For more information contact:

Mariya Loginova

mariya.loginova_@_innovaatiokeskus.com

tel. +358440 575 626