Scotland's tourist industry has set its sights on Russia, with a new strategy to lure the new rouble rich westwards.

Scotland's tourist industry has set its sights on Russia, with a new strategy to lure the new rouble rich westwards.

VisitScotland has unveiled its first Russian-language website which contains details of business tourism possibilities for what is becoming a fast-growing market.

The organisation's business tourism unit developed the site, which is designed as a one-stop shop and includes hundreds of venues and suggested itineries during people's stay.

Later this year a 20-strong delegation will head to Moscow to strengthen the links between the two countries.

An increasingly affluent Russian middle class is now travelling further afield on holiday, venturing away from their traditional destinations which include Crimea, Turkey and Spain.

Russia is now the ninth largest tourism market in the world, making it attractive to the tourist industries around western Europe.

UK tourism figures show that 42% of Russians coming to Britain are here on business. More flights are now available between Scotland and Russia via either London or northern European cities.

Flights from Russia to the rest of Europe have grown by 17% and one of Moscow's five airports recorded a 22% increase in business, making the Russian market one of the most lucrative.

Caroline Packman, head of VisitScotland's business tourism unit, said: "We have existing strong links with Russia and are continuing to build on this. The new Russian language website will showcase the best venues, suppliers and event providers Scotland has to offer and give buyers an insight into the diverse range of facilities we have for meetings, incentive travel and corporate hospitality.

"There are many reasons why Scotland is the destination of choice for meeting planners. These include state-of-the-art conference centres, unique venues surrounded by dramatic scenery and the warmth of Scottish hospitality. Getting to Scotland has never been easier with connecting flights from Russia through London, Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam."

Some Scottish firms have already been cashing in on the growth in Russian travel.

FruitSalad Events, a Scottish destination management and corporate event company, has been working with VisitScotland, bringing Russian corporate groups to Scotland and the UK since 2005. It has witnessed first hand the emergence of the Russian market.

Director Paul Bryan said: "We have noticed the Russian market has been growing steadily. I have made numerous trips to the market over the last three years and to date have brought two Russian familiarisation groups to Scotland, one of which was given financial support from VisitScotland.

"We are well known in Russia among incentive agencies within the industry. However, because I speak Russian and we have a fluent Russian speaker targeting the market and winning new business, we are getting our name out into the lucrative corporate market within the investment banking, mining, telecoms and oil and gas sectors. The outlook is positive."

VisitScotland will host a Scottish Workshop in Moscow and St Petersburg later this year. Russian meetings and events organisers, as well as leisure operators, will have a chance to meet with 20 representatives from Scotland's best hotels, venues and service providers.