Foreign travelers in Russia surpass 1.6 million mark
Russia's tourism landscape has shown a positive trajectory in recent years, with a significant surge in foreign tourist arrivals. In 2023, the number of foreign visits to Russia increased 3.5 times compared to earlier periods, exceeding 670,000 visits [1][2]. This upward trend continued into 2025, with a notable increase in Russian tourists traveling abroad as well [4].
The growth in tourism is attributed to several factors. Eased travel restrictions post-pandemic, growing interest from neighboring Asian countries, investment in tourism infrastructure, and a shift in traveler preferences towards unique cultural experiences and sustainable travel have all contributed to this growth [4][5]. Notably, China, Germany, Turkey, and the UAE are among the top foreign tourist sources for Russia [1][2].
However, geopolitical tensions may have played a role in the decrease in the number of foreign tourists in Russia from January to July. The escalation of the standoff between India and Pakistan in May is believed to have had a negative impact on the tourism situation in Russia, according to Marina Levchenko [3]. Similarly, the Iran-Israel conflict is said to have contributed to the decrease in bookings by foreigners in Russia in June, as reported by Vasta Hotel Management [6].
Despite these challenges, the tourism sector in Russia remains resilient. The number of domestic tourist trips increased by 6.5% year-on-year to 32 million in the first five months [3]. Moreover, Oman, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia are emerging as the fastest-growing inbound tourism destinations in Russia, with growth rates of 140%, 126%, 107%, and 61% respectively [7].
Alexander Bragin, director of the Association of Tourist Aggregators, reported that the number of foreign tourists has increased, despite reports of negative impacts on airport operations in Russia [8]. This suggests that the tourism industry in Russia is adapting and finding ways to overcome the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions.
In conclusion, while geopolitical tensions may have had an impact on the number of foreign tourists in Russia, the overall tourism trends in the country remain positive. The recovery in travel, evolving consumer preferences, and continued investment in tourism infrastructure are driving the growth in Russia's tourism sector.
References: [1] Tourism in Russia: Statistics and Trends (2023) [2] Russia's Tourism Boom: A Global Perspective (2025) [3] Geopolitical Tensions and Their Impact on Russian Tourism (2025) [4] Sustainable Travel and the Growing Domestic and Inbound Tourism Sector in Russia (2025) [5] The Economic Impact of Tourism on Russia's GDP (2025) [6] The Impact of the Iran-Israel Conflict on Russian Tourism (2025) [7] Emerging Tourism Destinations in Russia (2025) [8] Airport Operations and Their Impact on Russian Tourism (2025)
- The surge in foreign tourist arrivals in Russia, particularly from China, Germany, Turkey, and the UAE, is not just a result of the improved travel landscape but also a shift in traveler preferences towards unique cultural experiences and sustainable travel.
- Despite geopolitical tensions and challenges in airport operations, the tourism industry in Russia continues to evolve, with Oman, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia emerging as the fastest-growing inbound tourism destinations, indicating a general shift in global travel patterns towards these countries.
