Georgia’s economy is undergoing a process of adaptation in its strong growth, which makes it a target country for the tourist market of Marbella. The collaboration with the City of Batumi becomes a tool to promote culture and trade within the Caucasus region and to promote Marbella as a new destination for Georgian Nationals.

Together with the Marbella Municipality, EuroGeorgia, DSP (Del Sol Packaged) and a number of Georgian Nationals resident in the area hosted an informal dinner and arranged visits to a number of touristic and residential developments. This included guided tour of old Marbella, Golf at Los Flamingos and lunch at La Zagaleta. Natalie Stuart-Fox the president of EuroGeorgia said “ This is an excellent opportunity for both cities to develop both trade and tourism. Georgia is rich in culture, gastronomy and investment opportunities and is seeking more exposurein European markets. Marbella is the perfect place to promote to the Georgian community and Batumi has so much to offer a beautiful place like Marbella”

By way of thanks, The Mayor of Batumi invited Mª Angeles Muñoz and her delegation to a reciprocal visit to Batumi in September together with a selection of the Marbella business community.
For more information contact Simon Robertson at the DSP press office on +34 951 89 40 26, or email to pressoffice@delsolpackaged.com

Moscow & St Petersburg and according to some data, the number of players is expected to grow from 5,000 to 25,000 over the next few years. Whilst it still may be a niche market, the number of courses being built in Moscow and St Petersburg and the number of players joining the Russian Golf Federation every year speak for themselves.  The cost barrier to join a Russian club for most means that it is less expensive to book through a tour operator and travel to abroad to play. Due to the lack of promotion of Spain in Russia until now, the destination of choice is Belek in Turkey. However, it is the view of many that Spain is of much higher quality and is much more desirable as a destination to most Russian golf enthusiasts. The challenge for Spain is to get the message through to Moscow that Spain and specifically the Costa del Golf, should be the destination of choice for the travelling Russian golfer.

In October & November, Del Sol Packaged (DSP) will be hosting 2 Golf tournaments specifically aimed at the Russian Golf Tourism market. Timed to coincide with the end of the Russian golf season, both tournaments are being actively promoted through the Russian Golf Clubs and recent collaboration with the Spanish Embassy’s Tourism Department in Moscow has already given a significant boost to the awareness of both competitions throughout Moscow and St Petersburg. The November tournament is the “Golf Style Cup 2010” and fourteen Invited guests have already confirmed their attendance to this exclusive tournament, open to sponsors only. The guests include the Managing Director of “Golf Style” Magazine as well as senior businessmen from sectors including the Moscow Golf Federation, Oil & Gas, Real Estate & Public Sector utilities. “Golf Style” magazine will run a 6 page feature on the visit experience and the golf tournaments.

DSP’s collaboration with the Spanish Embassy’s Tourism Department has increased the level of interest from this very affluent group of Russian golf enthusiasts. At a recent competition in Moscow in association with the Spanish Tourism department, the winner of the competition was presented with free entry including accommodation to the October tournament, the “DSP Marbella Cup 2010”, which will take place over 2 days at San Roque old and new courses on the 29^th and 30^th. Marina Robertson, Managing Director of DSP said “We are very proud to be hosting so many prominent Russian Businessmen and golfers here on the Costa del Sol. This visit marks the start of a new market opportunity for the region as I am sure Russian golf enthusiasts will be very impressed with the standards here”.

The recent success of Spanish sports stars on the Tennis court, football pitch and the number of Spaniards competing for Ryder cup places has created a buzz around the country and a feel good factor that many envy. The Spanish golf and residential tourism sector has many Russian Nationals interested in taking a serious look at what Spain has to offer them. Once they see, taste and enjoy the lifestyle, they know very quickly that it is tough to beat.

For more information contact Simon Robertson at the DSP press office on +34 951 89 40 26, or email to pressoffice@delsolpackaged.com

Over the past year a number of Russian focused businesses have opened as well as the launch of three new Russian language magazines to cater for the demand for Russian language publications. The number of Russian registered residents in Spain now tops over 190,000, with some 30,000 in Andalucia and it is a community that is set to continue to grow. The Russian Federation has a tiger economy and wealthy young Russian families have started to look to Europe as a place to settle and bring up their children. Schools, Colleges and the Real Estate companies have all seen a surge in enquires and registration from the growing numbers within Russian speaking community looking at Spain as the place to settle.

The Golf and Luxury Property Show is Moscow’s leading trade show within these sectors, although this is the first year in which the organizers in Russia have merged the previously separate shows. “The synergy for Real Estate and Golf Tourism makes it ideal for a number of Spanish businesses” said the organizer and Moscow based ExPat Kim Waddoup “We are very pleased that so many Spanish businesses see the opportunity in the Russian market and want to promote Spain as a destination market for the Russian community”.  Marina Robertson, a Russian National and Director of Del Sol Packaged, braved the ash cloud to attend the show for the first time. Marina said “ The opportunity to meet the Golf Associations, Golf tour operators, Real Estate promoters and to feel the positive attitudes towards Spain has been very encouraging. There are so many opportunities to promote the Costa del Sol to the growing golfing community here. Golf tourism in Spain and the Real Estate sectors will undoubtedly benefit from attending this years show”

There is no doubt that the Russians are catching the golf bug. There are brand new courses popping up all over and according to some data, the number of players is expected to grow from 5,000 to 25,000 over the next few years. Whilst it still may be a niche market, the number of courses being built in Moscow and St Petersburg and the number of players joining the Russian golfing federation every year speak for themselves.  The cost barrier to join a Russian club for most means that it is less expensive to book through a tour operator and travel to abroad to play. Due to the lack of promotion of Spain in Russia until now, the destination of choice is Belek in Turkey. However, it is the view of many that Spain is of much higher quality and is much more desirable as a destination to most Russian golfers.

During the summer Del Sol Packaged will be hosting a number of delegations from Moscow as a result of the show, which will include media, golf course designers, golf club owners, players and a number of tour operators. A famous movie once coined the phrase “The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming!” The Russians are indeed coming to the Costa del Sol.

For more information contact Simon Robertson at the DSP press office on +34 951 89 40 26, or email to pressoffice@delsolpackaged.com