SUMMER is ahead for Russians. June to August is a time for vacations, relaxation and adventure.
Everybody wants to spend this sunny time in such a way that it will be remembered for a lifetime. Some will spend it at home, some in a country house, and some will go on a trip.
An international exhibition of the tourism and hospitality industry (MITT 2024), which has been held in Russia for 30 years, has helped the people choose the most interesting countries and objects for the summer holidays.
This is a platform for countries, regions and companies from all over the world to present their products and services.
Participants and visitors have the opportunity to meet with representatives of world tourism associations and industry regulators, find new clients and partners, and learn about trends in the tourism and hospitality industry.
This year the exhibition was held from March 20 to 22, and 909 companies from 58 Russian regions and 29 countries took part in it.
The number of destinations was huge. Each country offered its best tourist attractions. Malaysia, which was participating in the exhibition for the 14th consecutive year, did the same.
The Malaysian delegation, led by senior director of International Promotion (Americas, Europe & Oceania) Tourism Malaysia, Iskandar Mirza Mohd Yusof, comprised tour operators, destination management companies and hotel representatives.
Iskandar Mirza said MITT 2024 promoted Malaysia as a premier tourist destination.
"It fosters valuable industry exchanges and long-term partnerships. We are thrilled to unveil Malaysia's attractions, solidifying its standing as an unparalleled destination in gearing up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026."
Visitors could explore Malaysia's rich offerings tailored for the Russian market at Tourism Malaysia's booth.
And the response from the Russian public was great. Schoolteacher Irina shared her impressions with me: "I know that Malaysia is famous for its beaches and tourist sites, and I have long wanted to visit this country.
"I know that some say Langkawi is one of the most popular resorts among Russian tourists. But I would like to visit the jungles of Borneo, which the English writer Thomas Mayne Reid wrote so wonderfully about. I have saved enough money for the trip and will definitely go there this summer."
Engineer Nikolai travels a lot but has not been to Malaysia yet.
He is eager to visit the country and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the book 'Malaysia is truly Asia', which he recently bought, was written by me.
Deputy director of Tourism Malaysia Moscow, Zulkifli Mohamed, said Malaysia's tourism sector is poised for significant growth.
The country is aiming to welcome 27.3 million tourists in 2024, with an estimated revenue of RM102.7 billion.
Russian tourist arrivals are expected to surge by 30 per cent in 2024 compared with the previous year.
He noted that "through MITT 2024, we aim to open doors for more Russian travellers to discover the wonders Malaysia has to offer.
"We will help pave the way for unforgettable experiences and lasting memories in our beautiful country. Sandy beaches, azure skies and hospitality await Russian tourists in Malaysia."
Pogadaev, writing from Moscow, is a former lecturer of Universiti Malaya
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
