British hotels and shops saw spending by Russians fall 28% in 2014 mainly due to the plunge in the rouble, as BBC reports.
Russians had been among the top five biggest-spending non-EU tourists in the UK, but have now fallen out of the top ten.
The findings from tax-free experts Global Blue have illustrated the extent to which the drop in the rouble is curtailing
rich Russians' ability to travel and spend. Now that the value of the Russian currency has diminished 50%, foreign spending is twice as expensive for them.
Overall spending was down 3% from 2013 to 2014, although December spending helped make up some ground as it rose 11% to reach a record.
Some of the shortfall was made up by Hong Kong shoppers, who spent 9% more.
Middle Eastern nations' spending overall also rose strongly, with December spending by Qatari and Kuwaiti visitors up by 33% and 24%. In Fact, Qatari shoppers spend the most per transaction - £1,406 - compared with the average of £633 per transaction.
As the revenue from Chinese tourists jumped 20% in December, Global Blue says services and the ability to avoid Chinese luxury taxes are another two reasons the UK is attractive to these shoppers.
Christmas was becoming an increasingly popular time for non-EU visitors, said Gordon Clark, UK country manager of Global Blue: "2014 was a turning point for how Christmas is a key period for international spend, a trend which we expect to continue."
"Unlike domestic, globe shoppers are not simply drawn by the heavy discounts but also... at a time when the streets are festively decorated to look their best."
This year, VisitBritain, which promotes tourism in the UK, is predicting a recovery of 4.5% in spending to £22.2bn. The recent strengthening of the pound is expected to restrain growth, but easier access to the UK for affluent visitors from China should help to retain international spenders.
Global Blue, which introduced the concept of tax-free shopping 30 years ago, processes 80% of all such spending in the UK.
Non-EU residents can shop and claim back the VAT - worth 20% - on spending above £30 at shops and hotels, basically by filling in a form.
