The opening up of Eastern Europe means more and more business men want

to travel to new markets. Raymond Duncan reports on a new venture

designed to smooth their path.

A''WHOLE new ball game'': that is how Chris Topliss of London-based

business travel specialists Multitours describes travelling to Russia

and Eastern Europe today.

And his Scots-born colleague Stuart MacPherson maintains: ''It's not

quite so much cloak and dagger; it's all about pounds and pennies now.''

The two men may have phrased it differently but the sentiment is the

same.

The obstacles and red tape that might have been encountered some years

ago in making a trip to the former Soviet Union have diminished, and the

opportunities for trade links between companies, like those for the

leisure traveller, have greatly increased.

The rise in the number of inquiries from UK businesses for visas and

travel to Russia and Eastern Europe has led to more and more links being

forged.

Because of an expansion in interest from companies north of the

border, Multitours has opened its first Scottish office to provide a

comprehensive visa service for the country's business community.

MacPherson, who worked in the company's office in the South for three

years, has returned to Scotland to head the new facility, whose official

opening was carried out by G N Lazutkin, newly appointed Consul-General

for the Russian Federation in Edinburgh.

Multitours Scotland, located only minutes from the Consulate in the

city's Rutland Square, is offering a visa procurement service; visa

support from a Russian company for those without established

partnerships in Russia; advice and support on obtaining multi-entry

visas, and support for extension applications.

Although primarily a visa office, the premises also have the full

back-up facilities of the London HQ, where a new specialist business

travel team was formed less than a year ago.

Multitours has recently signed an exclusive accommodation deal with

Moscow's International Trade Centre on the banks of the River Moskva.

The Mezhdunarodnaya Centre, known by many in the business world as

''the Mezh'', is one of Moscow's key business venues. Many Western firms

are based in its skyscraper office block, which also houses a modern

four-star hotel.

With that kind of back-up, MacPherson, who comes from Bishopbriggs, is

confident of success in the Scottish venture, especially with a growing

demand from businesses for trade links with Russia and the involvement

of organisations such the various Chambers of Commerce and Scottish

Enterprise.

''Until now the only place you could get a visa was through the

Russian Consulate in London or a company similar to ourselves in London

providing that service,'' he says.

''We have had a good working and trading relationship with the

consulate in London and it is a natural progression for us to come up to

Scotland.''

Initially, the task facing him is to make businesses aware of the

Scottish service and that will make it easier and faster to obtain

visas.

''I always think it is nicer to deal with someone locally rather than

speaking to someone on the other end of a phone in London. Having a

service that is local, efficient, and easy to deal with is a bonus for

both parties.''

Topliss, who is Multitours Russia General Manager, is surprised but

delighted at the initial reaction to the Scottish operation.

While it opened primarily as a visa office, the company now plans to

expand it into a full travel office. ''It has been an eye-opener,'' he

adds.

He believes Scotland has been neglected as far as companies

specialising in travel to Russia and Eastern Europe are concerned.

''There is a lot of business coming from Scotland,'' he says, with

particular reference to the oil and whisky industries.

''There is also great interest in Scottish knitwear, which is regarded

very highly. It's not unusual to see a well-dressed Russian walking down

Gorky Street wearing a Pringle sweater.''