Two Russia specialists have told TTG they experienced a significant surge in enquiries after the World Cup kicked off last week.

Andrew Glenister, marketing manager at Real Russia, told TTG: “We’ve seen an increase over the past week.

“This was particularly prominent during the first match between Russia and Saudi Arabia (June 14), and the game between Tunisia and England (June 18).”

Glenister added customers were choosing to travel after the World Cup when prices “return to normal”.

“Our managing director Chris Watkins is in Volgograd,” Glenister said. “He said every travelling fan he’s met has been very impressed with the country and many want to return.”

Andrea Godfrey, from Russia specialist Regent Holidays, added the operator had seen a “marked increase” in Russia enquiries and web traffic.

“At this point in June, our Russia and trans-Siberian enquiries are more than double what they were compared to the same point in May,” Godfrey added.