Leading members of the Scottish tourism industry will showcase their country's charms on a visit to Russia this week in a bid to attract high-spending visitors.

They hope the Russians' taste for golf, whisky and Robert Burns will draw them to the country as it gears up for Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year-long celebration of Scottish culture.

During their trip, the VisitScotland trade mission aims to show Russian travel agents and tour operators exactly what Scotland has to offer for leisure and business visitors.

Businesses, including top hotels Gleneagles and the Old Course Golf Resort and Spa in St Andrews, will take part in the visit. They will meet with more than 70 Russian tour operators on the trip, which will take in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Most Russians book their travel through tour operators and travel agents because of visa requirements and the language barrier.

Homecoming Scotland 2009 will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns's birth with a year-long programme of events. VisitScotland hopes to tap into the interest for Burns in Russia, where his works are on the school curriculum.

Tourism chiefs said they were committed to developing the Russian market.

VisitScotland launched its first website in Russian earlier this year, specifically targeting business tourism. Its chief executive, Philip Riddle, said: "Russia is an important emerging tourism market for Scotland with a huge potential for growth.

"We have made a strong commitment to this market, with Russian speakers on the staff and the creation of a dedicated markets team.

"We know most Russian visitors book their trips through tour operators, so this visit to St Petersburg and Moscow is a unique opportunity for some of our businesses to showcase Scotland as a must-visit, must-return destination."