Russia is a hugely underrated destination -- what can it do to improve its image?
Just back in the states after a stunning 8 days in Russia - 5 in Petersburg, and 3 in Moscow.
It knocked my socks off.
I would argue that Petersburg, in particular, can stand toe to toe with just about any other destination in Europe -- including the great cities of France, Italy etc.
But here's the thing: many people in the States wondered "why" I would want to go Russia!
Clearly, Russia has a tourism-image problem. Some of this is the fault of negative feelings towards President Putin. But is there anything the country can do to promote itself as a tourist destination?
Or perhaps it's better for us Russophiles that it not be "spoiled" and turn into another tourist-saturated Venice or Florence...