tourism in russia 2023

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Is it possible to visit Russia as a tourist in 2023?

Yes, traveling to Russia as a tourist in 2023 is possible. Here’s what to look out for if you’re preparing for your dream trip. 

Visa requirements

First things first, it is worth checking if you need a visa to cross the Russian border. In 2023, citizens of some 65 countries can visit Russia without a visa. This includes most of the post-Soviet states like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as Ukraine.

Additionally, citizens of some countries in South and Central America – including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Uruguay, Ecuador – do not need a visa to travel to Russia.

Citizens of Israel, South Africa, Cuba, Montenegro, Thailand, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Andorra, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Mongolia, Botswana enjoy visa-free regime with Russia, too.

For the full list of countries, click here .

* Data for the infographics is from November 2022 and was obtained from the Russian consular information website.

* The status of a particular country is subject to change. We advise additionally researching the relevant information in each particular case before booking any trip to Russia.

* Visa waivers may apply for holders of diplomatic or military service passports, select businessmen, air crew members, members of a ship or train crew, professional truck drivers, organized tourist groups and people who have official permission to live in some border regions.

Is it safe to travel to Russia right now?

Russia as a travel destination received a fair share of negative PR from various sources in early 2022.

Some official travel accounts run by governments of countries like the U.S. , Australia , Great Britain and others advise their citizens to abstain from non-essential travel to the country.

That said, it is always advisable to evaluate safety risks when traveling to any foreign country. Traveling to Russia is no exception. However, Moscow, St. Petersburg and other major Russian cities have been widely regarded as being safe , especially in comparison to other popular tourist destinations.

Little has changed in major Russian cities from the point of view of tourists or local residents. Consequently, the most extreme and vocal concerns over security may be disregarded as being too alarmist.

That said, logistics pose the greatest challenge for tourists traveling to Russia in 2023. A number of countries closed their national airspace for Russian air companies resulting in more complicated logistics for tourists who intend to visit Russia in 2023.

However, specific changes depend on a particular country from where a tourist departs. In some cases, direct flight routes remain intact. For example, nothing has changed for tourists from China, India, Turkey, Middle Eastern countries and the majority of post-Soviet states. They can book direct flights to Russia’s main airports.

Tourists departing from European capitals will have to book connecting flights via Turkey or countries in the Middle East. This makes tickets more expensive and flights longer. However, it is still possible to travel to Russia from virtually any country in the world.

It should be noted that every country has its own nuances that must be taken into account beforehand. For example, the Indian Embassy in Russia advises Indian nationals against traveling to Russia via third countries. According to the embassy website, Indian travelers should choose only direct flights from Delhi to Moscow, otherwise they risk being denied entry into Russia.

In another instance, the British government prohibited its citizens from purchasing tickets on Russian airlines that were under sanctions. Nonetheless, the British authorities made an exception for those journeys originating in or within Russia: in this case, British nationals may purchase tickets from Russian companies without breaching UK sanctions.

Covid restrictions, vaccination status & quarantine

In 2022, Russian authorities canceled Covid-related restrictions for Russian citizens and foreign tourists, alike.

In 2023, foreign nationals no longer need to provide results of a negative PCR test when entering Russia by any mode of transport. Therefore, foreign travelers no longer need to take a coronavirus test in advance before departure.

Furthermore, Russian authorities lifted Covid-related restrictions that required visitors to provide a specific reason for visiting the country facilitating tourist traveling.

The only remaining Covid-related regulation is a requirement to fill in a questionnaire. Passengers – both Russian and foreign citizens – will be asked to fill out the paper version of the questionnaire on board during their flight to Russia.

Click here to find out who can travel to Russia without a visa in 2023.

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Russia: Visiting in 2023

Tourists and Business Travelers Visiting Russia in 2023. Here Is What You Will Find There

By Dr. James Pearce

I’ve been traveling to Russia for over a decade. I’ve got familial ties here and have lived in three different Russian cities . It’s a country impossible to understand without visiting, and its vastness and diversity offer something for everyone. But last February, everything changed.

After the war in Ukraine broke out in February 2022, Western boycotts were announced and airline and travel companies suspended their operations in Russia.

It was cut off from SWIFT, the international payment system, and most foreign bank cards no longer work here unless your bank or country uses Russia’s own payment system, MIR.

Overall, the number of foreign tourists in 2022 fell by 90%, and for the few still going to Russia, the trip is a costly headache. Most visitors in 2022 went for work, family reasons or to study.

Harming Reputations

Put simply, many westerners don’t want traveling to Russia to harm their reputation, personally or professionally. I argue that it shouldn’t. Travel should bring people together and not be based on political views.

Moreover, Russia is the world’s largest country spanning nine time zones and bordering fourteen other countries, from Norway to North Korea, across Europe, Central Asia and all the way to the Far East. We ignore and misunderstand it at our peril.

More Visitors from the Middle East and India to Russia

Although tourism from the West fell, travelers from the Middle East and India actually increased along with domestic tourism. China is also expected to post big numbers this year now that it has reopened.

Of course, this won’t make up for the fall in western tourists, and important to note is that few of these countries have condemned Russia’s actions or joined the sanctions. In fact, business is operating as normal – and in some instances strengthening and helping Russia to get around western sanctions.

Unlike before, one must now either fly to Russia from a third country (like Turkiye, UAE, or Armenia ), hop on a bus in Tallinn, or train from Helsinki, which both go to St. Petersburg. It’s also possible to travel by car from a neighboring country with an open border, like Georgia. Each option gives you the chance to explore another part of the world en route you wouldn’t otherwise see.

Russia by Bus

If going by bus, one usually takes you to the border, and another will pick you up on the Russian side. On average, the trip takes a total of 7-9 hours, not including border crossing and customs time. About half a dozen buses go daily, and it’s certainly the cheapest way in (as little as £35).

The trains are also relatively frequent, and the journey is shorter, at about 3 hours 30 mins. Tickets are upwards from 100 Euros, however. Flights will vary depending on the airline company, route you take, and location you book from. Turning your VPN on can help you get a cheaper ticket.

Last summer, one German couple chose the bus for their first trip to Russia. It might have seemed like an odd time to go, but not to them. ‘Why not?!’ they said. ‘It’s still a fascinating country. Our friends came recently, and had only good things to say.’

Many travelers report long lines and additional questions at the border. Some I spoke to were waiting for three hours, whereas others got through in fifteen minutes with no questions.

The only real danger here is missing your bus on the other side. Depending on the schedule, the drivers don’t always wait if you get stuck in a long line. In which case, you need to hope another bus is due soon or arrange alternative transport.

Flying through Turkiye to Russia

I chose to fly through Turkiye onto Yekaterinburg in the Ural region, where Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

In place of the house where they were murdered now stands a Church in their honor. The flight was full both ways.

Istanbul is also significant in Russia’s history and the modern geopolitical climate. Almost 100 years ago, after the Bolsheviks came to power, hundreds of thousands left Russia through Constantinople never to return. As one journalist recently put it, Constantinople is where history and Russian exile begin.

Turkiye is Full of Russians

On almost every street corner one can hear the Russian language now. As one of the few places Russian citizens can still travel visa-free, hotels are frequently full of Russian guests. There are also plenty of Russian businesses also popping up and new employees or nomad workers in the city’s various cafes and bars.

When I landed in Yekaterinburg, I got through the border in maybe twenty minutes and answered only basic questions. It seems individual experiences are precisely that.

One change from before was the amount of cash I took with me. Most foreigners will have to take enough to last their trip, and either exchange it in a third country or one of a select few Russian banks.

You can still take up to $10,000 in cash, but a new law stipulates that you cannot take any foreign currency totaling more than $10,000 out of Russia.

If you have relatives or a Russian bank account, you can transfer money using Koronapay, Unistream, or Contact. Crypto is also used.

Russian Life Carries On

Despite the war in Ukraine, Russian life appears to be carrying on largely as normal. The appearance of pro-war propaganda is the only visible difference at first and even small towns have been affected. In Suzdal, an ancient and picturesque city adorned with wooden churches and monasteries northeast of Moscow, its many tourists can now buy matryoshka dolls with the letters Z, V and O – symbols of the military operation.

Storefronts that stood vacant after Western brands left are filling up again. Western products have been quickly replaced with domestic equivalents, and the agricultural industry has done extremely well in the last year.

Restaurants, bars, and theaters are all full as well, but what is immediately noticeable are prices; they have gone through the roof. Friends and relatives all speak of how much more expensive things are, although utility bills remain low.

In fact, most people I spoke to were worried about the rising costs, but generally said their standard of living has been unaffected.

One huge difference is the ability to travel abroad. It’s now much harder for Russians as visas are more expensive, have stricter requirements, and paying for them is more complicated. Many without the means are instead opting for domestic travel.

More Day Trips for Russians

City breaks and day trips to nearby historic towns and resorts along the Caspian Sea are becoming increasingly popular, and even Soviet sanatoriums are getting more visitors.

Agro-tourism has been gaining momentum in recent years, and so have ‘rest houses’ (cottages in the countryside for rent), but the prices are comparatively steep.

Another difference is accessing the internet. Every Russian person now has a VPN on their devices. Roskomnadzor , which regulates Russia’s internet, blocked many foreign websites and social media in response to the western sanctions.

Anyone traveling should download one before their departure, and there is no shortage of free options. They do, however, slow down your connection speed.

Despite a variety of boycotts, importing goods through third-country ‘hubs’ is easy. Tech products in particular are very sought after, and can be purchased via Turkiye, China, and Central Asia – as can clothes. However, movies and books are more complicated as releasing them without permission from the copyright holder is illegal.

Not because they don’t care or feel guilt. Rather, it is a coping mechanism. Public discussion of the war is practically prohibited and the ‘spreading of false information’ carries lengthy prison sentences.

For visitors, most trips to the country remain trouble free and the locals are only too happy to greet foreign tourists. Your trip also doesn’t need to be seen as an endorsement of the war or the Russian government, much the same as visiting any other authoritarian country wouldn’t.

The German couple also had advice for those unsure about traveling: ‘travel is like having children. There’s never a good time and always an excuse not to. If you wait for the right time, you’ll never do something.’

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3 thoughts on “ Russia: Visiting in 2023 ”

Good Day, my wife is Russian and I plan to go visit her family with her. May I ask what passport you traveled with? I have a USA passport and am only reading info put out by the US govt. about possible aggression towards Americans. Can you provide any first hand insight? Many Thanks.

Hi Richard, we have the same questions with my partner, I’m Russian, he is American, in 2021 in August we traveled together to Russia without any issues at all. He still has his 3years visa and now we are planning to travel to Russia together as well. I’ll highly appreciate if you tell me how would be your trip.

nice..supporting the economy of the country which is killing innocent people. well done!

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The dos and don'ts of visiting Russia for the first time

Sep 24, 2021 • 6 min read

These top tips can help you make the most of your visit to Russia © MarinaDa / Shutterstock

The world’s largest country beguiles and fascinates with its world-class art, epic landscapes and multifaceted society. You may also find that perseverance  and a sense of humour will go a long way in enriching your first-time Russian travel experience. From the things you absolutely must do before you travel to the things we recommend that you steer clear of once you're there, here are some top tips for avoiding common pitfalls when visiting  Russia .

DO apply for a visa early and register on arrival

Visas must be applied for in advance by all visitors. How you do that varies depending on your nationality and where in Russia you are traveling to. Travelers from many countries, including the UK and US, need to apply in-person at an embassy or consulate and provide biometric data. An e-visa may be an option for passport-holders from 52 countries, which include many EU travelers, as well as those from China, India, Japan, Singapore, and some Middle Eastern countries. However these are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.  Check with your local Russian embassy or consulate for confirmation, or get up-to-date information here . 

You can apply at the last moment, but it may cost you a fortune. Start the application process at least a month before your trip and consider using a specialist travel agency to arrange visas and make key transport bookings. Every visitor to Russia should have their visa registered within seven days of arrival, excluding weekends and public holidays. The obligation to register is with your hotel or hostel, or landlord, friend or family if you’re staying in a private residence. Also keep in mind that your visa entry and exit dates will be written according to European calendar convention (day/month/year) as opposed to the American style, so don't get mixed up or over-stay your visa. 

DO check the events calendar

During major holidays – the first week in January (between New Year’s Day and Orthodox Christmas) and the first week or two of May (around Labour Day, or May Day, and Victory Day) – Moscow and St Petersburg empty out. Despite this, both cities are festive during these times, with parades, concerts and other events, but museums and other institutions may have shortened hours or be shut altogether. May to September is the best time to visit St Petersburg but mid-June is when the city is irresistible, with the White Nights revelry at its peak.

DO dress up for a night out

We can’t guarantee you’ll make it past Moscow’s "face control" (the term comes from clubs trying to "save face" by only letting in patrons who meet their image standards) but you can better your chances of getting in to the top clubs by making a sartorial effort – high heels and skirts for women, all black for men. Russians also make an effort when they go to the theater or a posh restaurant – you should do likewise to fit in.

DO learn the Cyrillic alphabet

Making an effort to familiarize yourself with the Cyrillic alphabet repays tenfold. It will help you decode street and metro signs, maps, timetables and menus, even if you don't know many Russian phrases. While digital tools like the Russian Metro app  and Google Translate make it easier than ever to visit countries where you don't speak or read the language, brushing up beforehand can reduce frustration and endear you to the locals.

Rideshare options such as Taxovichkoff and Yandex Taxi upended the taxi industry in Russia as much as anywhere else. That means less pressure to know the Russian phrases you'd need to hails cabs in the streets, but it still is wise to learn key phrases in case there's a navigation mixup, like the address of your hotel or intersection of your short-term apartment rental. 

DO expect to spend your money

Moscow is one of the most expensive cities in the world and St Petersburg is not a cheap destination either; wallet-thinning shock is common at many restaurants and hotels. As a foreigner you’ll also find yourself paying more than a Russian for some museums – often as much as 10 times the price Russians pay. If you’re a student, flashing your ID can save you money at museums and other institutions.

You can save on dining out a few different ways. Many restaurants offer "business lunches" that are great value and very filling. Several years ago the trend for " anti-cafes " cropped up in larger Russian cities, and there are still a few where you pay by the minute for coffee, biscuits, and a little wi-fi time. 

Food markets  that blend farmers markets and food halls are popular, and are often found in architecturally significant vintage buildings. You can shop for ingredients to cook yourself or sample cuisines from around the world from dozens of  vendor stalls. Many food markets are less expensive than sit-down restaurants and let you try a wider variety of local and international dishes. 

DON’T ask for a mixer with your vodka

Few traditions in Russia are as sacrosanct as the drinking of vodka , and any foreign notions of drinking it with orange juice or tonic are anathema to your average Russian. If you need something to wash it down, you can chase it with a lemon, a pickle or, perhaps, a separate glass of water. Vodka is drunk in swift shots, not sipped. It’s traditional (and good sense) to eat a little something after each shot, so order some vodka snacks too.

DON’T be disrespectful in a church

Working churches are open to everyone, but as a visitor you should take care not to disturb any devotions or offend sensibilities. There's no face control, but women should cover their heads and bare shoulders when entering a church. In some monasteries and churches it’s also required for a woman to wear a skirt – wraps are usually available at the door. Men should remove their hats in church and not wear shorts.

DON’T take photos of government buildings

Be very careful about photographing stations, official-looking buildings and any type of military-security structure – if in doubt, don’t snap! Travelers have been arrested and fined for such innocent behaviour.

DON’T be surprised if you’re stopped by the police

Although new laws were passed in 2011 that ostensibly reconfigured Russia's police and their interactions with the public, it's still wise to carry a photocopy of your passport, visa and registration – not to mention travel documents that indicate how and when you'll return home – and present them when an officer demands to see your documents. You may also see special tourist police near major attractions like the Red Square , who have special training and language skills to assist travelers.

If you're issued a fine, Russian authorities might expect an "unofficial payment" to expedite their service on the spot, as opposed to handling the matter later at the station. Either way, always ask for an official receipt, and consider carrying the phone number for your country's embassy in case matters get more complicated. 

You might also like: How to spend a perfect weekend in Moscow    How to plan and pack for the Trans-Siberian Railway    Beyond the Trans-Siberian: travelling Russia's unexplored northwest by train   

This article was originally published in August 2009.

This article was first published October 2019 and updated September 2021

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Some 8.5 mln foreign tourists visit Russia in 2023 - Economic Development Ministry

MOSCOW. Feb 2 (Interfax) - Around 8.5 million foreign tourists visited Russia in 2023, which is 3.5% more than in 2022, director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry's multilateral economic cooperation and special projects department Nikita Kondratyev said.

"The first statistics for inbound tourism came out yesterday. We had 8.5 million foreign tourists. Compared to 2022, the growth is insignificant, 3.5%, but it is growth nonetheless," Kondratyev said at a strategic session of the Russian Union of Travel Industry.

"Our target was to secure a 1.5-fold rise in inbound tourism, up to 16 million tourists [annually], by 2030. And we see that thanks to a number of measures, foreign tourists' interest in trips to Russia is returning. It is also confirmed by information that the number of bookings at Russian hotels doubled," he said.

Seventeen countries, mainly countries of the Middle East and Asia, have been chosen as priority destinations for outbound tourism, he said.

"This year, we plan to resolve a number of systemic tasks, which include improving conditions for entry to Russia by simplifying the visa rules for countries of the Middle East and Asia, expanding the list of countries enjoying full visa-free entry, and updating the mechanism for electronic visas and visa-free group travel," Kondratyev said.

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The Top 15 Places to Visit in Russia

Home to eleven time zones and a border spanning two continents, Russia, the world's largest country, is truly a world of its own. As a country that has seen the rise and fall of great empires and unions, its history only adds to its distinct identity. With vast and immensely beautiful landscapes in Siberia and the Kamchatka Peninsula, culturally rich heritage sites in the North Caucasus, and pulsating cities such as Moscow, Russia makes for a destination worth a visit for travelers of all kinds.

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is known as Russia’s cultural capital, and rightly so. Home to more than 200 museums, such as the spectacular Hermitage, the city’s links to heritage from the past can also be seen in several buildings such as the opulent Catherine Palace and the magnificent Church of Saviour on Spilled Blood. St. Petersburg additionally can be a delightful destination for book lovers, with spots to explore Russian authors such as Fyodor Dostoevsky’s legacy. Further, book lovers can visit old bookstores and several libraries in the city, such as the National Library of Russia, are open to the public through pre-arranged tours. A final reason why St. Petersburg is a top destination in Russia is the exciting nightlife of the city, which one can start exploring in and around the Nevsky Prospekt.

The capital city of Moscow is definitely among the top places to visit in Russia, for its variety of experiences on offer: art museums such as the Tretyakov Gallery, high-end restaurants such as the White Rabbit to the impressive ballet culture, most prominently in the Bolshoi Theatre.

While the Red Square is a vital part of the city to see the essentials such as The Kremlin and Lenin’s mausoleum, other places in the city, such as the Izmailovo flea market, are also worth a visit.

Arctic Circle (Murmansk)

The vast Russian territories on the Arctic Circle hangs as the crown of country, marked by Tundra and snow. As the northern edge of the world, this region attracts those looking to go stargazing and, if lucky, to catch the Northern Lights. Head to the largest city in the Arctic circle, Murmansk, from where you can head to villages such as Teriberka close by for views of the vast sky and a boat graveyard, beaches at the northern edge of the world, making for a thoroughly surreal experience.

Murmansk is also home to the Lenin Nuclear Icebreaker, the world’s first nuclear-powered ship turned museum. A visit to a husky farm near the city where one gets to interact with the royal, adorable Huskies in their natural habitat is also recommended.

Capital of Tatarstan region, Kazan is one of the most aesthetically delightful cities in Russia that is home to the Islamic heritage of this part of the country while also incorporating Orthodox Christianity. The highlight of Kazan is thus its heritage architecture, which displays both colorful orthodox Christian churches as well as stunning mosques such as the Khul Sharif mosque.

Other must-see buildings include the Suyumike tower and the Temple of All Religions, an eclectically styled prayer complex where several faiths can go to pray.

Kamchatka Peninsula

A peninsula full of vast volcanoes, stunning natural formations such as Valley of Geysers and a habitat of bears, a visit to Kamchatka is a real immersion into Russia’s natural beauty. There are several trekking and camping tours available inside the numerous bio-reserves located in the valley, making it ideal for those who want to disconnect with the outside world and dive deep into nature.

The city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky can be made a base to further explore the region, where once can sample some of the seafood delicacies such as Kamchatka crabs.

A resort town by the black sea, Sochi is surrounded by stunning snowcapped mountains, which form a backdrop to beaches. Among the most popular summer destinations within Russia, this city, however, this city also makes for an excellent place to try out winter sports activities such as skiing.

Besides lounging around the beaches, the city is a good place to try out adventure sports such as bungee jumping, and one can also head to the SkyPark Sochi for rollercoasters and other adventure activities with stunning views.

Republic of Dagestan

A somewhat offbeat destination in Russia for tourists, the culturally unique and naturally stunning region of Dagestan, which translates to The Land of The Mountains, can be a top choice for those looking to explore the diversity of the world’s largest country. While Dagestan is perceived by many as a dangerous place to visit owing to political movements in the area, visitors to the region attest to the fact that prior planning and taking general safety measures can make for a rewarding experience.

The city of Derbent, with the Caspian Sea on the coast, owing to its old-world charm and stunning mosques, is one prominent place to visit and to explore the heritage and culture of the region.

Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world, is a vast region full of villages around the lake that make for excellent summer holidays and comes highly recommended for visitors looking to unwind and relax. The famous trans-Siberian railway route passes through this vast water body, which can be navigated after making a base in the city of Irkutsk.

While there are several villages and spots such as Olkhon Island where you can rent a Dacha and proceed to kayak, boat, or simply lounge around the lake, a recommended place to visit is the Peschanaya Bay, which is a stunning beach-like landscape with slanted rocks to form a backdrop.

Nizhny Novgorod

Marked with history and home to several heritage monuments, Nizhny Novgorod is a top choice for Russian history lovers. Once known as ‘Gorky,’ this city was also considered an important center for the production of military equipment, but these days, the highlight of the city is its architecture.

Places to explore include the city’s Kremlin, with its 13 towers, and the historic Rozhdestvenskaya Street. Other activities to indulge in include watching the sunset over the confluence of the Oka and Volga Rivers, which can be viewed set against the city’s Kremlin.

Vladimir and Suzdal

The two cities of Vladimir and Suzdal, located very close to each other, are part of a cluster among the "Golden Ring" cities around Moscow. While Vladimir was once the capital of the Russian empire, the adjacent Suzdal extends the sense of history and heritage through the numerous churches to be found here. Wooden houses with ornate window panels, large church and monastery complexes, and charming markets delight visitors.

Lena Pillars

Spectacular, awe-inspiring rocks that go up to impressive heights and nicknamed Mountains of Rising Gods among locals form the Lena Pillars Natural Park. A one-of-a-kind landscape that's worth a visit in Russia's Yakutia, Lena Pillars can be accessed from Yakutsk. River cruises around the park offer a spectacular view, but one can also opt for a helicopter or air tour of the area.

A winter wonderland located on the banks of the Kama River, Perm can be a surprising delight for those looking to visit ice caves such as Kungar Ice Caves in the nearby region. In itself, the city also has an impressive ballet scene as well as other cultural activities. Visitors can also take a day trip to the Memorial Complex of Political Repressions, Kuchino, Permsky Krai, also known as the Perm 36 Gulag Museum, which was once a forced labor camp.

Vladivostok

A stunning city in the Far East of Russia, Vladivostok is a port city located close to both China and North Korea. The beauty of this city, marked by mountains and bays, is most prominent in its Golden Horn Bay. Meanwhile, the city's Eagle's Nest Hill is one of the best places to get views of the cityscape.

As a big city, Vladivostok has several notable museums, with the S-56 Submarine Museum, a World War II museum located inside a submarine, being a unique choice for visitors.

Kizhi Island, Karelia

Russia’s wooden architecture is among the many things unique to the county, and the Kizhi Island, located in the Karelia region, is an open-air museum of these detailed and classic structures. Kizhi Island is increasingly becoming a popular site for visitors, with ancient structures such as the Church of Transfiguration as well as an arranged display of rural life. The island, which houses the oldest wooden church in Russia, can be visited from Petrozavodsk and can only be visited for a day trip.

Yekaterinburg

A large industrial city in the Ural Mountains, Yekaterinburg is among Russia’s crucial spots with a significant history in the Russian Revolution: it is where Russia’s last Tsar and his family were executed. Exciting for history and culture enthusiasts, this city is home to a thriving theater and dance scene. Further, Yekaterinburg also houses over 30 interesting museums.

Those in the city can also plan day trips to fascinating spots close to the town, such as the quirky Kirillov’s House in the Kunara village or opt for a nature trip to the mountains.

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Russian airlines purchased 165 aircraft from Western lessors in the years 2023 and 2024. This represents about 40% of the fleet owned by foreign lessors that remain in Russia, according to RBC. 

Why are planes being returned? The buyback is necessary to remove foreign registrations from…

The number of tourists from China visiting Russia increased by 2.5 times in January

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The domestic tourist flow in Russia in 2023 exceeded the figure of 2019

According to preliminary data, the domestic tourist flow amounted to over 75 million people. This was announced by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, in 2022, the tourist flow…

Tourist flow to Kabardino-Balkaria shows steady grow.

According to the results of the three quarters of 2023, the air harbor of Mineralnye Vody (Stavropol territory) increased passenger flow to 3 million people, an increase of 21% compared to the same indicator in 2022, reported the press-service. Mineralnye Vody is the gate for mice tourism (Mineralnye…

Discover Samara region – heart-shaped hospitality

The region of Samara reminds the form of heart at any map and looks gorgeous from the drone and spaceship. Samara region is all about warmth, hospitality, inner comfort, sincere service and respect to wide range of guests interests, it is full of well-known traditional tourist routes and may offer…

Passenger traffic from the UAE and Iran to St. Petersburg increased by 80%

Pulkovo Airport is recording an increase of tourist traffic from the Middle East in 2023, Asiyat Khalvashi, commerce director of the airport informed.

“The Middle East market is actively developing. Passenger traffic between Pulkovo and the UAE and Iran destinations is showing an increase…

More than 120 thousand foreigners visited Russia using an e-visa

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Tourist flow from Turkey and Iran has almost caught up with pre-covid indicators

Based on the results of three quarters of 2023, Russia received 10 times fewer tourists than in the same period of pre-pandemic 2019, according to data from the Border Service of the Russian Federation. China has become the main supplier of tourists.

In the second place in terms of tourist…

Russian visas may become more expensive for tourists from a number of countries

The government has submitted to the State Duma a draft law on the suspension of a number of provisions of international treaties of the Russian Federation on simplifying the issuance of visas to citizens of the European Union, the Kingdom of Denmark, Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the…

Tour operators note surge in Chinese tourism during Golden Week

Host tour operators noted a surge of interest from Chinese tourists in traveling to Russia during the just completed “golden week” – the holidays dedicated to the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China.

"At least 17-18 tourist buses arrived in Vladivostok,…

Foreign tourist flow to Russia increased by 130% over the year

According to the results of the first six months of 2023, the inbound tourist flow to Russia from abroad increased by 100 thousand trips of foreigners compared to the same period last year. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, China has taken the first place in terms of the number of…

Cancellation of visas for foreigners will increase the tourist flow to Russia tenfold

The abolition of visas for foreign citizens, as well as the solution of the issue with the use of bank cards in Russia, will significantly increase the inbound tourist flow, said Alexan Mkrtchyan, vice president of Alliance of Travel Agencies.

"We are in favor of the complete abolition of…

The launch of an electronic visa in Russia is planned for July 15

A single electronic visa should work in Russia from July 15. According to experts, the program e-visa will greatly simplify travel to Russia. Importantly, e-visas will open access not only to group, but also to individual trips.

However, launching a new system can be challenging. The fact…

Problems for incoming tourism in Russia

Large losses of tourists can be felt in Russia itself. According to ATOR, the number of foreign travelers in Russia in 2022 decreased by 96,1% compared to pre-Covid figures. The start of the special operation and Western sanctions have made it difficult for both EU and US tourists to travel to Russia…

Tourist flow to Russia increased by 17% in the first quarter of 2023

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Over the three months of 2023, 3,26 million foreigners entered Russia, which…

The first groups of Chinese tourists will arrive in Russia in February-March 2023

Chinese travel agencies are ready to resume outbound group tours to 20 countries from Feb. 6, according to the website of the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The 20 countries include Russia, as well as Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia,…

ATOR: incoming tourism to Russia reduced by 99,5% in 2022

According to the results of the three quarters of 2022, the inbound tourist flow to Russia amounted to 147,4 thousand trips of foreign citizens with a purpose of tourism. This is 99,5% less than in the same period in 2019 and even 16% less than in covid 2021.

As per the results of 9 months…

Inbound tourism to Russia is at the level of statistical error

The second and third quarters of the year are the traditional peak of the tourist season for Russia. For comparison, in the first quarter of 2019, foreigners made 470 thousand visits to the Russian Federation, in the second – 1,5 million visits. The same trend was observed every year. The only exception…

Opportunities for medical tourism: mineral waters and natural mud of St.Petersburg

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Inbound tourist flow to Russia decreased by 25 times

For the period from January to June 2022, 81,5 thousand foreign tourists visited Russia, which was 25 times less than in the same period in pre-pandemic 2019.

In total, from January to June of this year, 5,9 million foreigners entered Russia. This is 1 million more than in the first half…

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Is it possible to come to Russia in 2023?

Feb 10, 2023

Yes, it is possible to come to Russia. In this post we will explain to you possibilities and how to do the necessary steps to get to Russia.  

About Safety

Although there are a lot of governments that advice not to visit Russia as it would not be safe, this is not completely true. Visiting Russia is possible, and most of all, the biggest part of Russia is safe to travel. You better don’t visit some regions, like the border between Russia and Ukraine but a region like Altai Republic is absolutely safe. In general the attitude of Russian people didn’t change towards foreigners. They are still very interested in where you are from, why you visit their country and what places you want to see.

Getting a visa

At this moment you can apply for a business or tourist visa in your country, Russia is still granting business, tourist and privates visa’s to foreigners. You need a few documents of course for that. Your passport, a health insurance declaration, an application form with photo’s (you can fill it in here ) and an invitation-letter from an official tour-operator like us. Since end of last year there are some changes in the visa’s, but we will write another post about that. If you have any questions about it, just contact us.

Travel to Russia

The next question is, how to get there. Of course, due to the sanctions there are some issues that you should be aware of. From most countries you can’t simply book a direct flight as it used to be. But there are some possibilities for you. Well known routes are flying via Turkey (Istanbul), Dubai, Kazakhstan and Serbia or via Finland (Helsinki) and then continue to cross the border between Finland and Russia by bus or taxi to go to St. Petersburg. Another route is via Gdansk (Poland) and then cross the border between Poland and Russia by bus/taxi to go to Kaliningrad. From Kaliningrad there are many domestic flights.

Maybe you noticed that some routes fly to a place outside Russia to continue by bus/taxi, that is because it is not easy to book a flight to Russia or a domestic flight inside Russia directly. If you book a trip with us, we can assist you in purchasing the tickets necessary to come to us.

Travel in Russia

First of all, you can’t use your foreign bank or credit-card, so you have to bring cash money to exchange that in a bank to rubbles. The maximum amount to bring into Russia per person is 10.000 dollars. Have a look which bank has the best rates because between banks there can be a big difference.

Before it was easy to use sites like booking.com or Airbnb.com to book accommodation. This is not possible anymore at the moment. But, as with many things, Russians found substitutes and moved to other sites like ostrovok.ru. It is easy to book and most accommodations you can pay when you arrive. Also many accommodations have free cancellation policies.

To save you some (actually it can be a lot) of money it is recommended to buy a Russian sim-card for your phone. If you stay in a hotel your whole trip, maybe you can use the Wifi there, but when you move around a lot it is easier to have your own sim-card. For a small amount of money you can buy it in a shop and use it for the time you are in Russia. Please be aware that depending on where you go, the preferent provider can be different as they are not available everywhere. Again, if you are travelling with us, we can organize this before your arrival and you don’t even have to go to the shop, just insert the sim-card and start using it.

So what does all this mean, well, it is very well possible to come to Russia and to have a great trip, or visit family and friends. There are some things to pay attention to but with some effort they are easily to overcome. As usual we can assist with all the necessary things when you book with us.

See you soon!

24 Comments

Hi, Can you please help me get health insurance and invitation visa to Russia? I am amazed on how hard to get this document and I speak, write and read Russian. I have been searching every website and no one able to provide this letter of invitation.

Paul, please sent an email to [email protected]

Hi Paul, not sure if you have found it yet. But the Russian consulate in Australia directed me to an Armenian company – RGS. It worked perfectly and I was able to get my Russian health insurance through them, no problem. Hope that helps.

I went visit in rasiya

Great article thank you for the factual and useful information. Actually, I’ve travelled to Russia twice since March last year. My wife is Russian so that makes it easier. But logistically I had no trouble coming from Australia. People I speak with in Australia are very curious as to what it’s like in Russia at the moment. And I am happy to tell them all the positive stories, similar to what you said in the article. Already looking forward to my next trip to beautiful Russia and especially hoping to visit Altai sometime!

Hi, Dennis . Thanks for all the information. Wondering what flights fly to Russia from Australia? I want to travel to Sochi and Moscow Cheers Nav

Thank you so much for this infomation. It is difficult to find information since the sanctions have been imposed. I am wanting to travel to Russia in Sept/Oct of 2023 and specifically to travel on the Trans Siberian. Can you tell me when you think it might be open to the part through Mongolia to Beijing. Thank you so much Bev. Canada

Hi Bev, Sorry but we only organize trips in Altai, we really don’t know the situation regarding the Transiberian Express.

I am in the same boat as you. let me know if you are able to find any information.

Is it possible to make a full day To St. Petersburg from Moscow. I am planing one week trip in Moscow.

Hi Isaura, we only organize trips in Altai, if you need info about Moscow & St. Petersburg please visit Tstours.ru, they are specialised in both cities and speak fluently English.

Can someone give me some more info or details to go to russia? My girlfriend is russian, but i wanna go to moscow!! Someone got some tips or helpfully info?

Hi Dyonbeauchampet, please sent an email to [email protected] with your specific questions, from where you want to come to Russia and when? regards, Kaichitravel.

Did you find more information? I’m in the same boat 🙂

Hi, please sent an email to [email protected] with your questions. We will try to answer all your questions. Regards Kaichitravel.

Hi Is it possible to travel by road from Baku to Makhachkala and vise-versa, Dagestan oblast

Hi, we are sorry, but we only organise tours in Altai. Maybe some toher tour-organiser in DAgestan knows this. regards Kaichitravel

Hey Laura can I bring € instead of $ to change in Russia

Hi, yes you can.

Visa Updates:

Russia now granted fast and online E Visa applications for 52 countries. No more need for Tourist or Business Visas

https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/index_en.html

Hi Lisa, you are right the e-visa are available since 1 august, but please check if your country is on the list for that. And keep in mind that an e-visa is only valid for 16 days, so if you want to stay longer, you still need an invitation letter and regular visa. Regards Kaichitravel

Is it possible for UK citizens to visit Russia? I was there in 2018 & really enjoyed it.

Hi, yes that is possible. You cannot use the e-visa but you can apply for a regular tourist visa. If you want a invitation letter from us, please write an email to [email protected]

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Home » News » How conflict continues to shape Russian tourism in 2023

How conflict continues to shape Russian tourism in 2023

After 14 months of continued fighting in Eastern Ukraine, Russian citizens are looking to evade conscription, but not all nations are on board.

While much of the world is united in the way of foreign aid to Ukraine and sanctions against the Russian economy, things are slightly different when it comes to Russians looking to head abroad. 

For example, in the European Union and Britain numbers from the Russian Federation have dropped by 99 per cent, whereas Egypt has seen a 181 per cent increase. 

Bali quickly became a hot spot for Russians looking to holiday, or avoid conscription to the Russian army with tens of thousands flocking to the country due to its accessible ‘Visa on arrival’. 

The visa does not require any paperwork and is granted after paying a small fee on arrival. However, following the deportation of four Russian Nationals in March alone due to visa violations, the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster announced that access to the visa on arrival program would be revoked. 

Indonesia arrival visa closeup. (iStock – undefined)

Thailand is another nation that has seen an increase in arrivals from Russia, in particular in the resort island Phuket with over 233,000 landing between 1 November 2022 and 21 January 2023.

Dar, a masseuse who formerly worked in Russia and moved back to Phuket told Al Jazeera (under a fake name), “The women tell me they are desperate to get their husbands, boyfriends or children to come over here to stay, so they come over first and find houses and try to make visas for their men,” she said. 

Beach in Phuket, Thailand. (Image: VOA News)

In Greece, the INSETE (the national tourism confederation) recently stated that overall tourism related revenue is down 575.5 million Euro (AUD$930 million), largely linked to the decline in Russian tourism as well as lower cruise ship arrivals. 

Sri Lanka, on the other hand has seen Russian tourists make up 27 per cent of all tourists in recent months, with 29,084 arriving in February alone according to Aviation & Aviation Services Sri Lanka. Other leading countries for Russian tourist arrivals include Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. 

Featured Image: Egypt Independent

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Russians now largest group of overseas tourists in north

More people from Russia visit the north than from any other third country outside of Turkey, the north’s ‘tourism minister’ Fikri Ataoglu said on Tuesday.

Speaking in ‘parliament’, he said that around 40,000 Russian tourists had visited the north via tourism agencies in 2023.

Meanwhile, he said, his ‘ministry’ is making efforts to reduce ticket prices for flights to and from the north’s Tymbou (Ercan) airport.

To this end, he said, widebody aircraft are now flying to the airport “every single day” and the number of flights is also being increased.

However, he said, the number of passengers wishing to fly to the north is also increasing, meaning that “ flight ticket prices are not yet at the desired levels .”

With this in mind, he said his ‘ministry’ had entered discussions with Turkish-German airline SunExpress with a view to operating flights to new destinations from May.

He added that “SunExpress’ goal is to fly to may countries outside Turkey via Antalya from September,” and that developments to this end would be shared with the public.

How Russia’s War on Ukraine Changed Travel One Year Later

Rashaad Jorden , Skift

February 23rd, 2023 at 12:00 PM EST

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has disrupted the travel industry in significant ways, and its impact will continue to be felt for many years. Here is Skift's look at how the war has altered the business of travel.

Rashaad Jorden

Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a cataclysmic act that has significantly impacted travel worldwide. In just 12 months, 19 million refugees have crossed the border out of Ukraine, 7,200 innocent civilians have been killed, including 438 children, and countless lives are still being put at risk day and night by a war that shows no signs of ending.

That is how all of us try to put the tragedy into perspective. Still, our job is to report on the travel industry and how this war has upended business. 

Major travel brands in all sectors of the industry have been disrupted. Skift has thoroughly covered the impact of the war on the travel industry, including changes travel brands have had to make in response to the invasion as well as how it has impeded travel’s ongoing recovery from the pandemic. Here is a look at major changes in travel brought about by the war.

Airlines Faced Surging Fuel Costs

The airline industry was perhaps the first sector of travel to feel immediate effects of the war. Still largely yet to make a complete recovery from the pandemic, airlines had to quickly encounter surging fuel prices . Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary predicted the 12 months after the invasion would be difficult for most airlines in large part because of the jump in oil prices. Some carriers either introduced or raised fuel surcharges , which airlines typically pass onto customers in the form of higher airfares .

Russia’s Travel Industry Hasn’t Recovered

Russian travelers spent $36 billion on international travel and took more than 40 million overseas trips in 2019 , making the country one of the world’s largest outbound markets. The Russian travel industry had initially been one of the strongest performers according to the according to the Travel Health Index launched by Skift Research, which measures the performance of the global travel industry compared to pre-pandemic levels.  

But moves by U.S. , Canada, and nations across Europe to close their airspace to Russian planes have pummeled Russia’s travel performance as calculated by Skift Research. Russia’s score in the Skift Travel Health Index, which reveals the extent of its recovery from the pandemic, decreased roughly 28 points from February 2022 to the following month. The country’s December 2022 performance trailed its score from the same month in 2020.

The War Drove Major Travel Brands to Retreat From Russia

Many major Western travel companies announced shortly after Russia invading Ukraine that they were pulling business out of Russia . Travel industry heavyweights like Airbnb, Booking Holdings and Marriott were among the corporations to announce they were pulling operations out of Russia. In addition, several tour operators committed to cancelling trips to Russia for the rest of 2022.

However, some prominent global brands are still doing business in Russia, including Accor. CEO Sebastien Bazin said during last year’s Skift Forum Europe that the Paris-based hotel company has never stopped operating in a war-torn country in its history. Bazin added that issues pertaining profitability didn’t drive Accor’s decision, noting that Russia has been far from a lucrative market from the company. Meanwhile, despite blocking advertising from Russian companies, Google Travel is still listing information about hotels in Russia provided by advertisers from outside of the country.

Skift published this list in March 2022 documenting companies that had announced they were curtailing business from Russia.

Russian Travelers Forced to Move on From Long-Time Popular Destinations

Countries like Estonia, Latvia and Finland that long relied on Russian travelers took steps to restrict visitors from one of their top source markets. Estonia banned entry to Russian citizens who had previously issued tourist visas while Latvia stopped granting its own tourist visas to Russian travelers. Meanwhile, Finland limited the number of tourist visas it issued to Russian citizens. Skift Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam writes those measures were part of a collective strategy to exert pressure on Russia’s government to end the invasion of Ukraine. In addition, Poland barred Russian tourists from entering the country .

The war also accelerated Cyprus’ plans to diversify its tourism base as the Mediterranean island nation banned flights from Russia. Cypriot Deputy Tourism estimated Savvas Perdios estimated the Russian and Ukrainian markets had represented roughly 22 percent of his country’s tourist arrivals, a figure he said went down to zero.

However, Thailand , the Maldives and Dubai have welcomed Russian visitors. The resumption of direct flights from Russia to Thailand sparked a nearly sevenfold increase in Russian visitors from September to November last year, and Thai authorities expect more than 1 million Russian travelers to visit in 2023.

And Dubai and Maldives have grown in popularity for Russian travelers, with Russia serving as among the top source market for both destinations. One Russian national living in the United Arab Emirates said the country was one of the few nations were Russians could travel without difficulty.

Companies and Destinations Hit Hard by the Absence of Russian Travelers

Aleksander Karpetsky, CEO of Dominicana Pro , a Dominican Republic-based tour operator specializing in trips for Russian and Ukrainian travelers, said the lack of visitors from his company’s markets had left his workers unemployed. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s travel industry and economy took a major hit after the state-owned Vietnam Airlines suspended flights to and from Russia shortly after the start of the war. Less than 40,000 Russians traveled to Vietnam in 2022, a nearly 94 percent drop from roughly 650,000 in 2019. In addition, Russian travelers typically spend more than visitors from other countries, according to data gathered from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

Turkey Becomes Business Travel Hub for Displaced Russian Corporations

Turkey’s decision not to issue sanctions against Russia drove a large number of Russian companies to set up shop in the country . Close to 1,400 Russian business opened offices in 2022, more than any other nation. Corporate Travel Editor Matthew Parsons wrote that Russian corporations view Turkey as a neutral trading location because the country enables them to trade with firms prohibited from engaging directly with Russia, especially U.S. businesses. Hundreds of U.S. corporations set up in Turkey after closing their Russian operations.

The number of flights between the two countries has also increased in recent years. Flights from Russia to Turkey rose 45 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. And Turkish Airlines is upping the number of seats to and from Russia for the upcoming April-to-June quarter 55 percent from 2019 levels.  

Foreign Visitation to Ukraine Rendered Impossible

Although domestic tourism has started to rebound , reaching up to 50 percent of pre-invasion levels , the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine is still urging foreign travelers not to visit the country until the end of the war because it can’t guarantee their safety .

Mariana Oleskiv, chairperson of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine, is adamant though that Ukraine will be successful in its efforts to rebuild its tourism industry. She delivered an emotional speech on the subject at Skift Global Forum in New York last September, explaining why she’s hopeful about a brighter tourism future for Ukraine. Oleskiv cited Ukraine’s plans to use Crimea, a region currently occupied by Russia, as a destination that could spark Ukraine’s tourism recover.

Russia Looks to Fill Tourism Void With Indian Travelers

Seeking ways to rebound from the enormous tourism hit, Russian tourism authorities turned their focus to wooing visitors from what Moscow perceived as friendly nations — one of them being India . Russia increased their efforts to attract Indian tourists, sending officials to events in India such the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai in September. Russian President Vladimir Putin had also proposed visa-free travel between the two countries.

Corporate Travel Agency Relationships Made Complicated

Not only did corporate travel agencies have to conduct emergency repatriations of staff based in Ukraine , they had the thorny issue of how to handle relationships with Russian partners . Many corporate travel agencies have long had ties in Russia because they viewed a presence in the world’s largest country as crucial. While CWT and FCM Travel said they would continue to maintain ties with their Russian partners, Corporate Travel Management suspended its partnership with Moscow-based Unifest and TripActions, which later rebranded as Navan, said it was is no longer supporting travel to Russia and Belarus. 

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Tags: russia , russia outbound , ukraine , ukraine national tourism organization , Ukraine War

Photo credit: A collage created by Skift Creative Strategist Aishwarya Agarwal Aishwarya Agarwal

Over 5m Russian tourists visit Belarus in 2023

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Statistics on " Travel and tourism in Russia "

• Travel industry revenue distribution in Russia 2021, by segment
• Tourism spending in Russia 2019-2022, by travel purpose
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Russia 2019-2023
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Russia 2019-2023
• Outbound travel expenditure in Russia 2011-2022
• Leading outbound travel destinations in Russia 2021-2022
• Outbound tourist flow growth in Russia 2022, by destination
• European Union (EU) Schengen visas issued in Russia 2010-2021
• International tourism spending in Russia 2011-2022
• Leading source markets for travel to Russia 2020-2022, by arrivals
• Domestic travel spending in Russia 2019-2022
• Number of nature protected areas in Russia 2015-2022, by type
• Estimated demand for inbound tourism in Russia Q1 2014-Q3 2023
• Inbound tourist flow growth in Russia 2020-2023
• Travel industry organizations distribution in Russia 2021, by segment
• Number of tourism companies in Russia 2010-2022
• Most popular travel websites in Russia 2023, by traffic
• Number of package tours sold in Russia 2014-2021, by type
• Value of package tours sold in Russia 2014-2021, by type
• Package tour cost in Russia 2014-2022, by type
• Most popular travel destinations on package tours in Russia 2022
• Number of domestic airline passengers in Russia monthly 2020-2022
• Passenger traffic growth of airlines in Russia 2021
• Travel transportation consumer price in Russia 2021, by type
• Paid travel accommodation services value in Russia 2015-2022
• Travel accommodation establishments in Russia 2022, by federal district
• Total room area in travel accommodation in Russia 2013-2022
• Number of visitors in hotels in Russia 2010-2022
• Number of hotel visitors in Russia 2022, by travel purpose
• Overnight accommodation cost in Moscow monthly 2020-2023
• Hotel occupancy rate in Moscow 2023, by segment
• Average daily hotel rate in Moscow 2023, by segment
• Reasons to not travel long-haul in Russia 2022
• Intention to travel to Europe in Russia 2019-2022
• Summer vacation plans of Russians 2012-2023
• Travel frequency for private purposes in Russia 2023
• Average holiday spend per person in Russia 2011-2023
• Attitudes towards traveling in Russia 2023
• Travel product online bookings in Russia 2023

Other statistics that may interest you Travel and tourism in Russia

• Premium Statistic Countries with the highest outbound tourism expenditure worldwide 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Travel industry revenue distribution in Russia 2021, by segment
• Premium Statistic Tourism spending in Russia 2019-2022, by travel purpose
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Russia 2019-2023
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Russia 2019-2023

Outbound tourism

• Basic Statistic Outbound travel expenditure in Russia 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourism trips from Russia 2014-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading outbound travel destinations in Russia 2021-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourists from Russia 2022, by territory
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourist flow growth in Russia 2022, by destination
• Premium Statistic European Union (EU) Schengen visas issued in Russia 2010-2021

Inbound and domestic tourism

• Basic Statistic International tourism spending in Russia 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading source markets for travel to Russia 2020-2022, by arrivals
• Basic Statistic Domestic travel spending in Russia 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of nature protected areas in Russia 2015-2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Estimated demand for inbound tourism in Russia Q1 2014-Q3 2023
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourist flow growth in Russia 2020-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourist arrivals in Russia 2014-2022

Travel companies

• Premium Statistic Travel industry organizations distribution in Russia 2021, by segment
• Premium Statistic Number of tourism companies in Russia 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Most popular travel websites in Russia 2023, by traffic

Package tours

• Premium Statistic Number of package tours sold in Russia 2014-2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Value of package tours sold in Russia 2014-2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Package tour cost in Russia 2014-2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Most popular travel destinations on package tours in Russia 2022

Transportation

• Premium Statistic Number of domestic airline passengers in Russia monthly 2020-2022
• Premium Statistic Passenger traffic growth of airlines in Russia 2021
• Premium Statistic Travel transportation consumer price in Russia 2021, by type

Accommodation

• Basic Statistic Paid travel accommodation services value in Russia 2015-2022
• Premium Statistic Travel accommodation establishments in Russia 2022, by federal district
• Basic Statistic Total room area in travel accommodation in Russia 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors in hotels in Russia 2010-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of hotel visitors in Russia 2022, by travel purpose
• Premium Statistic Overnight accommodation cost in Moscow monthly 2020-2023
• Premium Statistic Hotel occupancy rate in Moscow 2023, by segment
• Premium Statistic Average daily hotel rate in Moscow 2023, by segment

Travel behavior

• Premium Statistic Reasons to not travel long-haul in Russia 2022
• Premium Statistic Intention to travel to Europe in Russia 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Summer vacation plans of Russians 2012-2023
• Premium Statistic Travel frequency for private purposes in Russia 2023
• Basic Statistic Average holiday spend per person in Russia 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic Attitudes towards traveling in Russia 2023
• Premium Statistic Travel product online bookings in Russia 2023

Further related statistics

• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Norway 2017, by type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Belgium 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Sweden 2017, by type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Croatia 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Iceland 2012-2028
• Premium Statistic Tourism share of GDP in Sweden 2015-2021
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Denmark 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Total tourism contribution to GDP in Denmark 2019-2021
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Finland 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Poland 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Hungary 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Denmark 2017, by type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Poland 2012-2028
• Premium Statistic Impact of tourism on jobs in Poland 2018
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Greece 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic U.S. Virgin Islands: internal travel and tourism consumption 2010-2019
• Basic Statistic Puerto Rico: internal travel and tourism consumption 2010-2019

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

• Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Norway 2017, by type
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Belgium 2019-2022
• Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Sweden 2017, by type
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Croatia 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Iceland 2012-2028
• Tourism share of GDP in Sweden 2015-2021
• Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Denmark 2012-2028
• Total tourism contribution to GDP in Denmark 2019-2021
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Finland 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Poland 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Hungary 2012-2028
• Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP in Denmark 2017, by type
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Poland 2012-2028
• Impact of tourism on jobs in Poland 2018
• Travel and tourism's direct contribution to GDP in Greece 2012-2028
• U.S. Virgin Islands: internal travel and tourism consumption 2010-2019
• Puerto Rico: internal travel and tourism consumption 2010-2019

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• Australia edition
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Iran missile and drone attack on Israel – what we know so far

Israel’s military has reported minor damage after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles towards it late on Saturday

• Iran attack on Israel – live updates
• Full report: Iran launches drones and cruise missiles against Israel

Iran launched hundreds of drones as well as cruise missiles towards Israel , in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state, in response to the 1 April strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in the Syrian capital, Damascus, which killed a senior figure in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards and eight other officers.

Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, said that Israel will exact a price from Iran in response to its mass missile and drone attack when the time is right. His comments came ahead of a war cabinet meeting alongside Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the country’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant.

Tehran has warned it will strike again with greater force if Israel or the US retaliate for the Iranian strike on Israel by more 300 drones and missiles on Saturday night. The air raids , the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Israeli state, brought a years-long shadow war into the open and threatened to draw the region into a broader conflagration as Israel said it was considering its response.

However, the attack, mostly launched from inside Iran, caused only modest damage in Israel as most were shot down with the help of the US, Britain and Jordan. An air force base in southern Israel was hit, but continued to operate as normal and a seven-year-old child was seriously hurt by shrapnel. There were no other reports of serious damage. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said that 99% of the launches had been intercepted.

Most of the Iranian drones flying over Syria’s airspace during Tehran’s strikes overnight were downed by Israeli and US jets before reaching their targets in Israel, two western intelligence sources told Reuters .

The UN security council will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday at the request of Israel’s ambassador to the UN, the council’s president said in a statement.

Iran informed Turkey in advance of its planned operation against Israel, a Turkish diplomatic source has told Reuters . The source also said that the US conveyed to Iran via Ankara that its operation must be “within certain limits”. These reports come after Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian , said in a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Tehran that Iran had informed the US that its attacks against Israel will be “limited” and for self-defence only.

John Kirby, the White House’s top national security spokesperson, told ABC’s This Week programme on Sunday that the US will continue to help Israel defend itself, but does not want war with Iran. “We don’t seek escalated tensions in the region. We don’t seek a wider conflict,” Kirby said. News outlet Axios reported that Joe Biden , the US president, had told Netanyahu that he would oppose an Israeli counterattack against Iran and that the prime minister should “take the win”.

UK Royal Air Force fighter jets and refuelling aircraft were also involved in Israel’s defence, taking off from bases in Cyprus. Their role, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, was to fill in for the US air force in the sorties against Islamic State normally carried out over Iraq and north-eastern Syria, but also to intercept Iranian drones if they came into the UK area of operations.

World leaders have condemned Iran’s attack, with regional powers including Saudi Arabia and Egypt calling for restraint. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said: “I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.”

Jordan’s prime minister, Bisher Khasawneh , warned that any escalation in the region would lead to “dangerous paths”, joining a chorus of condemnation from world leaders to the attack. Other countries including the UK, Spain, the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and China, have called for restraint amid fears of a regional escalation of conflict across the Middle East. Iran’s foreign ministry has summoned the ambassadors of the UK , France , and Germany to question what it referred to as their “irresponsible stance” regarding Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel, the semi-official Iranian Labour news agency reported .

Major airlines across the Middle East, including Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways , announced they would resume some of their operations in the region after cancelling or rerouting some flights in response to Iran’s attack on Israel. Israel said it had reopened its airspace as of 7:30am local time on Sunday morning, with Beirut airport also reopening this morning. Several Iranian airports, including Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International, however, have cancelled flights until Monday.

• Middle East and north Africa
• US military

Most viewed

US will not take part in any Israeli retaliatory action against Iran

• Medium Text
• LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
• Blinken and Austin speak to counterparts
• UN's Gutteres calls for de-escalation
• US says Iran will be held accountable
• Israel lifts some security measures

LITTLE SERIOUS DAMAGE

MOTIVATIONS FOR ATTACK DEBATED

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Reporting by James MacKenzie and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem, Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, Jeff Mason and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington, Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman and Nidal al-Mughrabi and Adam Makary in Cairo; Writing by Michael Georgy, Angus McDowall, David Morgan and Patricia Zengerle and Lincoln Feast; Editing by William Mallard, Sharon Singleton, William Maclean, Lisa Shumaker and Michael Perry

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Thomson Reuters

Jeff Mason is a White House Correspondent for Reuters. He has covered the presidencies of Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden and the presidential campaigns of Biden, Trump, Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain. He served as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association in 2016-2017, leading the press corps in advocating for press freedom in the early days of the Trump administration. His and the WHCA's work was recognized with Deutsche Welle's "Freedom of Speech Award." Jeff has asked pointed questions of domestic and foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un. He is a winner of the WHCA's “Excellence in Presidential News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure" award and co-winner of the Association for Business Journalists' "Breaking News" award. Jeff began his career in Frankfurt, Germany as a business reporter before being posted to Brussels, Belgium, where he covered the European Union. Jeff appears regularly on television and radio and teaches political journalism at Georgetown University. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and a former Fulbright scholar.

World Chevron

Philippines says decision to strengthen ties with Japan, US a 'sovereign choice'

The Philippines' decision to ramp up ties with Japan and the United States is a "sovereign choice", its foreign ministry said on Thursday, urging China to "reflect upon its own actions" in the South China Sea.

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Ukraine launches attack on occupied Crimea; anger at West after Russia's deadliest strike in weeks

Follow our Ukraine war live page for all the latest developments and analysis of the conflict. Listen to a Daily podcast episode on the notion of the UK putting troops on the ground in Ukraine as you scroll.

Wednesday 17 April 2024 23:52, UK

• Deadly strike on city near Kyiv - as officials call for blood donations
• In pictures: City residents shelter in metro stations during strike
• Ukraine carries out attack on Russian airfield in Crimea
• Mark Stone:  It's no coincidence there is movement on the US aid bill now
• The big picture: What's happening with the war this week?
• Your questions answered: How long will it take for any aid to turn the tide militarily?
• Live reporting by Emily Mee

That's it from our live coverage of the war in Ukraine for this evening. 

We'll be back again tomorrow with more updates. 

The US Treasury secretary has criticised Republicans delaying aid to Ukraine, saying the failure of the House of Representatives to act is "inexcusable and detrimental to our national security". 

Janet Yellen today met Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and finance minister Serhiy Marchenko, following a Ukraine conference held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings.

She said the officials discussed global financial support for Ukraine, Kyiv's reform progress, and Russia's obligation to pay damages. 

Ms Yellen said monetary assistance from the US is "more critical than ever" and "inextricably linked to Ukraine’s success on the battlefield and the government’s ability to deliver essential services to its people". 

Hitting out at Republicans in the House of Representatives who have delayed US aid, she said: "Every moment of delay by House Republicans strengthens [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and emboldens America's adversaries around the world who are closely watching to see if... the United States, maintains its resolve to support a democratic Ukraine as it fends off an autocratic Russia."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed EU leaders gathered in Brussels, telling them they must do more and stick to their commitments. 

"I ask you to accelerate the implementation of our agreements with you – both on supplies and joint production of weapons and ammunition, and on financing relevant projects," he said, according to an EU official. 

The Ukrainian president said Germany's recent push to send more Patriot air defence missiles was helpful, but more needed to be done. 

Earlier, Mr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that today's deadly attack on Chernihiv could have been avoided had air defences been provided to Ukraine. 

By Mark Stone , US correspondent

It has been more than 480 days since the United States passed a bill allowing for American weapons to be sent to Ukraine.

Russia's battlefield successes since then have been attributed in significant part to American political gridlock over the issue. 

That could be about to change. 

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, has signalled he will put several separate bills to the vote on Capitol Hill by Saturday night. This is big news. 

The numbers in the latest drafts of the bills are whopping and incorporate funding for Israel, Ukraine and for the defence of the Indo-Pacific region:

Ukraine: $60.84bn total

• Including $23.2bn to replenish US weapons stocks and facilities, $11.3bn for US military operations in Eastern Europe, $26m "to continue oversight and accountability of aid and equipment provided to Ukraine", and $9.5bn in forgivable loans for economic and budgetary support for Ukraine. 

  Israel: $26.38bn total

• Including $5.2bn to replenish the Iron Dome, David's Sling and Iron Beam defence systems (which repelled the Iranian attack on 13 April), $4.4bn to replenish US defence articles and defence services provided to Israel, and $9.2bn in additional humanitarian aid funds available to the administration (which could go to Gaza).

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been pleading for months with Congress to pass the latest bill. He made two desperate trips to Washington. Both were wasted journeys. 

And while some would argue that Ukraine tends to exaggerate both its vulnerability and its successes, there is no question that the tide has turned against Ukraine over the past 12 months. 

The Ukrainians have been running low on all weapons types, even small arms - bullets for their soldiers' rifles.

Analysts say Russia's recent airstrike successes are the consequence of the lack of Ukrainian air defence interceptor. And on the frontline, the artillery and shell imbalance has been growing by the day. 

A cohort of right-wingers are responsible for the blockage. 

Reflecting a view you hear among a proportion of voters here, they wonder what a faraway war has got to do with them. The Republican party is no longer the party of Ronald Reagan. 

They had demanded that the passing of any bill on Ukraine be predicated on separate funding to sort the immigration problem on America's southern border with Mexico. 

But the speaker, beholden to them for so long, and now risking ouster, has gambled. 

"We know that the world is watching us to see how we react," Mr Johnson told reporters this week. "They're watching to see if America will stand up for its allies and in our own interest around the globe. And we will."

The whole episode is indicative of America's power, still, even as its influence and engagement wanes. Where the US is absent, there is a vacuum. And in Ukraine's case, it's been a vacuum filled by Russia.  

It also shows how geopolitics is all intertwined. The Russian drones smashing into Ukrainian cities are made in Iran. They are the same type of drones which almost slammed into Israel at the weekend. It's no coincidence that there's movement on the bill now. 

One last thought - Donald Trump. He's the master of the cohort who've held all this up. But in non-committal Trumpian fashion he's never explicitly explained his position on Ukraine funding. 

Speaker Johnson went to Mar-a-Lago for dinner last week. What was said? We don't know. But Mr Trump said what a great job he thought Mr Johnson was doing. Something shifted. The Trump thread runs deep through American politics. 

The acting mayor of Chernihiv has hit out at Ukraine's Western allies following today's deadly attack on his city. 

At least 17 people were killed in the Russian attack, which reportedly used three Iskander cruise missiles. 

"Today's tragedy in Chernihiv could not have happened if Ukraine had more means of anti-missile defence," Oleksandr Lomako wrote on Telegram. 

"The procrastination of our Western partners leads to an increase in the number of innocent victims in Ukraine.

"Sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased." 

Mr Lomako also told Moscow to "burn in hell". 

The Ukrainian military attacked a Russian airfield in occupied Crimea today, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"Today, the Ukrainian armed forces carried out a precise strike on the occupiers in Dzhankoi, on an airfield," he said. 

Local Telegram channels earlier reported explosions near the military airfield overnight.

Reports suggest helicopter squadrons are stationed at the active airfield.

The Ukrainian president expressed thanks to servicemen staging "special operations, especially important operations, extremely significant ones that destroy the equipment of the Russian army, their combat infrastructure".

US secretary of state Antony Blinken will make a four-day trip to China next week, according to Politico. 

He will leave on Tuesday to meet with senior Chinese officials, the news outlet cited three unidentified US officials and a Washington-based diplomat as saying. 

China has maintained close ties with Russia despite the latter's invasion of Ukraine. 

Last week, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov travelled to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they discussed boosting security cooperation. 

Joe Biden has weighed in after the US House of Representatives released text on three proposed new foreign aid bills - including one providing support for Ukraine. 

The US president said the Republican-controlled House must pass the aid packages for Ukraine and Israel this week.

He added the Senate would pass the bills shortly after.

Ukraine has been urgently calling for more Western aid as it faces intensifying bombardment from Russia, and there are fears it could lose more territory this year without more help. 

However, Republicans aligned with Donald Trump have blocked a previous bill that would have seen aid sent to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. 

As we've been reporting, Russia has unleashed its deadliest attack in weeks on Ukraine today. 

At least 17 people have been killed in the northern city of Chernihiv. 

These are some of the latest images from the scene - although many of the photos coming out of the city are too gruesome to show. 

Earlier today, three Russian missiles struck the city centre of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine.

At least 17 people have been killed, making this the deadliest attack in weeks. 

Footage showed flames and columns of black smoke rising above the city after the explosions ripped through the area just after 9am local time. 

The strike destroyed a hotel and damaged several multi-storey residential buildings, a hospital, an education facility and dozens of private cars, officials said.

Sixty people, including three children, were wounded, the emergency services said.

Governor Vyacheslav Chaus said Iskander cruise missiles were used in the attack. 

Civilians were left clearing glass and debris with shovels near residential houses, while local doctors urged residents to donate blood. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed a lack of air defence systems from Ukraine's allies for the high number of deaths. 

"This would not have happened if Ukraine had received sufficient air defence equipment and if the world's determination to counter Russian terror had been sufficient," he wrote on Telegram. 

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