Moscow considering world's tallest Ferris wheel to boost tourism

722! That would be one large wheel!

But I don't have wings, Superman's flying ability, or thousands of dollars to get a flight to Moscow, so it kind of doesn't exist for me.

$300 Million? Wow...

This sort of gimmicky crap just keeps getting more and more outrageous. Who the hell would travel to Moscow just to ride this humongous ferris wheel?

If I happened to be in Moscow (for whatever reason) I might consider riding it, but as an incentive to go to Moscow, no way.

I would be more enticed to visit if they were building the worlds tallest/fastest/awesomest roller coaster!

^^For that kind of money, they should be able to do both!!

They'd do far more for tourism if they'd make it a little less difficult to get a tourist visa. Russia is on my to-do list, but fairly low on the list because it's too darn inconvenient...

In Soviet Russia, giant ferris wheel rides you!

In planning for a boost in tourism, I doubt that they're counting on a lot of American tourists! And our friend in Ireland, Richard Bannister, reports it ain't so easy for them. So let's cross off Europe as a probable demographic, and maybe we should throw all of Asia in there, too, I'm not sure. Anyway, if just everyone in Moscow showed up for a spin that would be 11 million rides, and if everyone in Russia came to town that would be 141 million. That would be a very good year for the Moscow View, wouldn't it?

I have a friend from Moscow and he says everything there is fairly bleak and depressing, and for most there's not a lot of money to go around. Shopping doesn't happen regularly, let alone leisure travel. As much fun as it would be for us to know there's such a wheel out there, I have a feeling this is a misguided project.

The problem is the bureaucracy. I quote:

for tourist visa: a standard tourist acceptance confirmation issued by a hosting Russian Travel Agency or Hotel registered at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a tourist voucher issued by the same Travel Agency (or Hotel) mentioned here above. The voucher must contain an applicant's name, passport number, dates and ports of arrival and departure in and from Russia, cities to be visited, agency's reference or registration number provided by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Please, note that the hotel booking only is not sufficient for visa application.

In short, if you want to visit Russia, you have to plan it through a local agency who will charge you through the nose for it.

Serious question: has there ever been a reported incidence of a Ferris Wheel boosting tourism? I don't know anyone who has ever chosen a destination because of the existence of a Ferris Wheel, regardless of size.

DawgByte II said:
In Soviet Russia, giant ferris wheel rides you!

Somebody delivered!

BBSpeed26 said:
Serious question: has there ever been a reported incidence of a Ferris Wheel boosting tourism?

I suspect increased tourism might be somewhat of a byproduct resulting from increased media attention and focus on the area resulting from the attention the wheel gets. Although you're right, it doesn't seem like it would be $300 million worth of publicity.

BBSpeed26 said:
Serious question: has there ever been a reported incidence of a Ferris Wheel boosting tourism? I don't know anyone who has ever chosen a destination because of the existence of a Ferris Wheel, regardless of size.

It's not the Ferris Wheel itself, but when all riders get coupons for a free head of cabbage and a visit to Stalin's tomb, then you'll see tourism take off.

Update

If the Moscow city council won't approve it, it's because the bribes and kickbacks that have been offered have not been sufficient.