FX.co ★ Russians spend $43 billion on travelling

According to the World Tourism Organization, Russia is among the five most extravagant countries in terms of foreign trips.
In 2012, thrifty Russian tourists spent $43 billion abroad, which is 32% more than in 2011.
China takes the first place by tourism-related expenses. Last year Chinese travelers left overseas $102 billion, whereas in 2011 this amount was 40% smaller. The U.S. and Germany come second and third. The citizens of these two countries expend abroad $84 billion with just some 6% increment. The UK ranks fourth; lavish Brits flashed in foreign countries 4% more cash in 2012 than a year earlier — $52 billion. Russia is on the fifth spot of the rating.
"Emerging economies continue to lead growth in tourism demand,” said the UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai. “The impressive growth of tourism expenditure from China and Russia reflects the entry into the tourism market of a growing middle class from these countries, which will surely continue to change the map of world tourism”.
Russia's statistical agency, Rosstat, reports that the number of travelers in the country was close to 15 million in 2012. Most of them choose Egypt, China, Turkey, and Thailand as touristic destinations.