Russia's online travel reservation services form association

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - Online hotel and ticket booking services are creating the Association of Tourism Aggregators, which will establish effective mechanisms for interaction between the main players in the online travel market and support best practices for the development of the industry, the association's press service said.

"Among the tasks of the new association is to offer tourists improved service and technological solutions and develop industry business standards for tourism aggregators. In addition, the association's activities will contribute to greater openness for all market participants and the exchange of best practices. These steps will contribute to the development of the tourism industry in Russia and the search for effective approaches to its regulation," the press release said.

The current share of online ticket sales, according to various estimates, exceeds 50% of the total volume, and 32% of all hotel bookings are made through Russian travel aggregators; these figures continue to grow, the association said.

The association includes MTS Travel, Ostrovok, Tutu and Yandex Travel. The new association is a non-profit organization. In the future, other participants in the digital tourism industry will be welcome to join.