Factors Affecting International Trade in Tourism Services in Russia

Background/Objectives: The study is aimed at describing the types of tourism service market; identifying major trends in developing the world market of tourism services; analyzing the competitiveness indicators in Russia and foreign countries. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study employed such scientific methods as the analysis of statistical data on the trends in the world market of tourism of the data on the competitiveness of the countries at this market; synthesis of data on the factors affecting the market of tourism in Russia; correlation and regression analysis for identifying the interrelations between world oil prices, ruble exchange rate, export and import of tourism services in Russia. Findings: Based on regression analysis, it has been proved that in the sector of outflow tourism the effect of the oil prices is quite considerable; however, in the sector of inflow tourism in the Russian Federation it is not as evident as it is in the former case, but nonetheless it is still present. The authors discovered fundamental and specific factors affecting the role of the Russian Federation in international trade in tourism services; have characterized the effects of this factors, namely, the factor of Olympic Games, the factor of Crimea and the factor of changing world oil prices, affecting, in turn, the dollarruble exchange rate and the changes in the amounts of export and import of tourism services in Russia. Applications/ Improvements: The results obtained in this study can be used by practitioners in the sector of international tourism as well as by governmental authorities regulating operations at the Russian market of tourism services.