Awareness of Tourist Needs of Saint Petersburg - Case Study Example

Saint Petersburg Introduction Saint Petersburg is a young city, with both European and Russian standards; it was found by Tsar Peter in 1703. Regardless of it having short lived so far, Saint Petersburg has a thrilling and a rich history. It is classified among the most beautiful cities in the world. It has all ingredients for those who have not had the travel experience. Lavish architecture, high arts, wild nightlife, rich cultural traditions and literature greatness will entice someone to this city. All these have nurtured and stimulated the world’s modern music, literature and visual arts. The city entices and charms in all seasons from magical winter ballet and world-beating opera productions to the twilling mysterious White Nights. These are some of the reasons for someone to plan a trip to this fascinating city of St. Petersburg. Transport Compared to its ability to host transport, they serve suburban and regional transport; this is due to heavy traffic jam along all roads. Scandinavia road, Russia road, Kola road and Narva roads are some of the roads that connect to St. Petersburg. Regional transport is lead by regional roads from the city. There is a lay down road of construction properties in the city with a concept to develop and improve Saint Petersburg road sector. The master plan to develop was laid down in the year 2005. The plan was to introduce nonstop aerial roads and high speed motorways. Visitors are assured of a fast transport system thus enable the travel not to be tiresome or bored on the way to the city. The transport system varies from seaports, rail stations, airport (Pulkovo), to river port facilities and that depends with someone’s taste and preferences. The transport system creates a modern intermodal, optimizing the working process of different modes thus providing efficient and reliable transport is provided (Terterov 2005,Pg216). Infrastructure Infrastructure sector of tourism in Russia is still catching with the rest of the country’s economic and social changes.The city is clearly planned with well established squares and venues. Its clear plan style of straight venues, broads and large squares indicates the city’s well organization of infrastructures. This clearly implies that the city is worth visiting.The harbor other than being a romantic broad walk highland, it feels more like a military based , worth a walk place for both visitors and locals. Nevertheless, the development of infrastructure is a continuous process.Some of the infrastructures were build at the harbor with an aim of preventing the enemy from approaching the city (Charlton 2010,Pg301). Accomodation When it comes to accomodation, Saint Petersburg has the most economical and convenient options for visitors of the North capital. The cities refurbished vocational apartments that provide accomodation .The viewing of the city entices the visitors sight ,enabling a visitor to spend more than he/she had planned for. And as aresult of well location and furnishing of the accommodating apartments, more vistitors have been witnessed in the past years. The accommodation type of visibility at Saint Petersburg is of palatial five and four star hotel which has proliferated for the past years. Business and markets price maybe somehow expensive to some travelers.However, there was provision of alternative mini hotels to reduce the price for those who could not afford the five and four star hotels. Mini-hotels are the best atmospheric and values option of accommodation to the city up to date. (Vorhees 2008,Pg 202) Venues Saint Petersburg has a variety venues for different events that takes place.The emperial theaters and stadiums are good example of these venues. The theaters are structured in a way which it can sort society meeting place. This allows well establishment of co-operation and development of good relationship within the society.In the early years, the place was associated with gossips other than tourism, and this affected the country both economiclly and socially (Frame 2009,Pg73). Other events such as music, arts and sports are performed at different venues . just like music which is mainly performed in churches and sports in stadium, so is at Saint Petersburg. Russian music attracts classical wide range of talents. Coral groups, symphony orchestras and string quartets are performed in free concerts that are held nightly in various venues. Saint Petersburg has no work hard in nurturing the up coming talent. There is a need of organising more events not only for the night but also day time. Events calender There are various dates set for official holidays a part from those noted such as 25th December which is not considered a holiday in Russia. At saint petersburg , new year’s celebrations are accompanied with midnight fireworks which are short over the Neva River . During the event , seats become expensive as they are to be booked in advance. 7th January is a date set for othodox christmas. Many people attend more festive meals and midnight mass, while 23 Febuary is set for the defenders of motherland day. Bell ringing is a major event that takes place in April or May. Another event like festival of white days takes place in the city during the last Decembers last week. In late June, annual international festival film in the city is held during white nights .Example of other events include, summer gardens and easter arts festival just to mention but a few. (Vorhees 2008,pg18) Security risk and crisis management Unlike other sectors which have relatively low rate of issues, the security sector in the region is a major issue to be dealt with. The growth in security and defense is a new issue in the European and Russian relations. There is a rapid growth development and moving up the security agenda. Giving out the military dimension to the Europeans common security of which the foreign policy and security policy were strengthened. Crisis management civilization capability has been increased by the European forces in line with increase of co-operation defense industry. In light of the frustrating increment of crime in the city has been influence by inadequate security. The security officers have to be on the lookout involving the matter. It is not good for foreigners to visit such a place when they are full of doubts on security matters and risks (Charles 2003,Pg 134). Statistics and tourism trends From a few last years, statistics and data show that it’s often inadequate for Russian assurance travel. Debit and credit cards are the most popular methods used for payment for both locals and tourists of Saint Petersburg. The number of tourist travel to the city has dramatically decreased; the city hall had to come in by launching an attractive program with the aim of increasing the number of tourist to the city. Analytic report shows that a large flow of tourists is overseen by the company. Having representatives in tourists visiting countries will allow appropriate handling and support of tourist when emergency event is needed. Analytical desk research includes a collection of statistic, available data and the tourist’s markets and trends publication. Statistics are obtained from national tourist’s carriers, organizations, hotel companies and many other relevant places. Museums and musical establishment contribute to foreign visitor’s language amendments (Terterov 2005,Pg 289). Number tourist arrivals in Saint Petersburg year bussiness Tourism Private total % change from the previous year 2000 1,075,564 1,016,050 850,858 2,942,472 -3.0 2001 1,037,295 657,366 1,010,091 2,704,752 -8.0 2002 912,038 769,081 1,194,886 2,876,005 +6.3 2003 933,775 929,244 1,249,613 3,112,632 +8 2004 974,013 1,129,207 1,005,779 3,108,999 -0.1 (Terterov 2005,Pg147) The marketers of Saint Petersburg face a tough sell. When white sox were looking for a place from Chicago to Russia , it gave saint petersburg opportunity deal. The cities marketers contracted rapidly and the owners of white sox begun their pitch sales for the teams relocation to Florida. New discovery of marketing ideas has to be done frequently so as to be line with high competitions from other places that may overtake them. The marketers should be aware of competitors who are working hard to beat them. A well structured market of the city will attract more tourist which will lead to improvement of the country’s economy. The marketers work hard in acquiring redumentary marketing and selling skills from the ground up. (Philip 2002,Pg 43) Marketing of the destination In the year 2009, the local job markets had a tough time. Both employees and empolyers had one thing in common, survival for the fittest. Available means of companies reduction of expenditure was the only solution. The employees also had a pinch of it , there salaries had to be cut or redundant in their number. The marketers claim that there was a tough competition between the job hunter. Past years show less volatile and dynamic of Saint Petersburg market, though recovering slowly. It might therefore take a year for it to pick up though it has not reached a pre-crisis level. There has to be first moves before this get worse, as it is said “make haste while the sun shines”. Demographics and labor market Clearwaters is a premier sports destination at a number of selected trade shows ,events and conferences through new prospects interaction. Conduct of conference calls for a face to face meetings focus on expansion of new markets and preservation of current events. National event strategy shows the benefits of bussiness and population increase. However, the return of the events to the national benefit are of short benefits which are short lived. Tourism and strategy Saint petersburg offers more than kirov ballet and heritage musium. The city is one of the worlds biggest cultural centres that impress investors making the city industriuos . Its richness in history and old centuries traditons with a promising future increase tourism which contributes greatly to the economy. The city has played a major role both in Europe and Russian history. The vanues providing job opotunities to the citizens has greately reduced the number of unemplyment in the society thus playing a major role in the countries reduction of crime. Crime comes as a result of idoleness, as the saying goes, ‘an idle mind is the devils workshop’. Future plans The cities future plans dwelling on development have already begun. The future plans include new airfield illumination. New hungers such as five, one and eight are given a fresh paint coat, doors and renovation of roofs door wheals . Building of a new construction tower is among the plans which are made possible by aviation sector. There is a plan of improving all sectors after all. (Hartzell 2006,Pg 85) Conclusion The Saint Petersburg magnitude of illustration creates a challenge to the marketer’s. Tourism has contributed allot to the Russian economy as well as to the European continent. The idea of venturing in tourism has created jobs to the locals. Infrastructure development has drastically changed the cities portrait. The beauty of Saint Petersburg has captured tourist worldwide. Marketers have to understand the needs, preferences and perceptions of the tourist before making a strategic market plan. This is because of competition from other sectors and the need to maintain its standards. References Charles, Jenkins, R. I. 2003 , Through the paper curtain: insiders and outsiders in the new Europe, Wiley-Blackwell ,London. Charlton, Angela. 2010 ,Frommer's Moscow & St. Petersburg, Frommer's, Boston . Frame, Murray,2009, The St. Petersburg Imperial Theaters: Stage and State in Revolutionary Russia,1900-1920, McFarland, United States . Hartzell, Scott. ,2006, Remembering St. Petersburg, Florida:Sunshine City Stories, The History Press,United Kingdom. Philip, Kotler, D. H. 2002, Marketing Places, Simon and Schuster, New York. Terterov, Marat. ,2005, Investing in St Petersburg, GMB Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom. Terterov, Marat. ,2005, Investing in St Petersburg, , GMB Publishing Ltd, London. Vorhees, Mara. ,2008, St. Petersburg, Lonely Planet, Croatia. Vorhees, Mara. ,2008, St. Petersburg, Lonely Planet, London. Read More