The Russians are use to crowded beaches

Russia´s new "middle classes"are choosing Spain as their preferred holiday destination. The Russian market is growing and Benidorm is certainly courting this influx of visitors to its shores. With flights available from Moscow to Alicante on both Iberia and Vueling the market is sure to keep increasing and bringing them in. Russian tour operator "Versa" have also launched charter packages from St Petersburg to Alicante over the peak summer season. On Tuesday, the councillor for Tourism and Culture stated that "the rise of markets such as Russia and Britain has offset the slight decline in in domestic tourism".

Up to now most Russian that were unable to travel out of the country headed to the southern resort of Yalta, on the Black Sea. The beaches are terribly crowded... I have actually experienced it myself some years back. In fact, it was SO chock-a-block that people stood up reading their books and rotated around with one arm up in the air to get  an even suntan... it reminded me of a chicken on a rotisserie!

Russian church in Altea

For many years Benidorm has welcomed visitors from all over Europe and the new emerging Russian market is also now important for Benidorm. Although for 2011 it only represented1% of the market,  it accounted for over 54,000 visitors and the Russians are classified as high spenders, with an average spend of 120 euros per day according to Juan Angel Ferrer.  With this in mind, the Benidorm Tourist Board have established, on a trial basis, a bilingual customer service hotline for the duration of the high season. This service is available Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 18.00 on 965 082 162 and they have also launched the "Visit Benidorm" website in Russian due to the increasing number of Russian visitors

Eye catching Intempo on Poniente side of benidorm

 Many bar and restaurant employees are learning the basics but the real growth market is in the housing sector - and most estate agents will have a fairly good grasp of the tongue. The Russians are buying up property in the area and are particularly keen on Benidorm and Altea - there is even a Russian Orthodox church at the bottom of Altea Hills, with its golden domes glistening in the sun.The impressive Intempo building which is currently still being constructed in Benidorm is certainly appealing to the Russians and according to one of the sales reps, many of the units have been taken by Russian buyers. Standing at 200 metres and covering 47 floors with its gold cladding, it is the tallest residential building in Spain.  Look around at the advertising hoardings and you will notice more and more adverts in Russian going up - I even saw a taxi with a Russian ad plastered across its side.

Aprox 70% of Russina tourists head to the North East of Spain, namely the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, but one big pull that the Costa Blanca has over their Catalonian cousins is bullfighting!  The Russians are  fans and enthusiasts of blood sports and particularly keen on bullfighting. Although banned in Catalonia, it is still legal here in the Valencian Community so a big pull for them. In a vain attempt to keep the significant Russian sector, they have established "bloodless" bullfights! The tourists are bussed from the coast to the village of Alfara de Carles where a novice bullfighter will go through the ritual without physically harming the bull and the Russians pay 90€ for the trip!

Press conference in Benidorm to promote the Bullfight

At a press conference in Benidorm yesterday, area councillor Juan Ramon Martinez announced two bullfights that will take place today (17th)  and tomorrow at the Plaza de Torres in the centre of town. Both fights commence at 22.30 and tickets prices are only 10€ for adults and 8€ for children and pensioners. I am sure that you will hear a lot of Russian being spoken there....

Many Russian men have served military service and know how to defend themselves. They will fight first and ask questions later... I think that if any of the peamen or pickpockets have a go at them they´d end up worse for wear - perhaps in the short term it may clear up the problem?