Russia's inbound tourism could grow by quarter in summer 2025 - ATOR

MOSCOW. May 30 (Interfax) - The number of foreign visitors to Russia this summer could increase by a quarter compared with the same period last year, the biggest number are expected from China, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said.

"In summer 2024 the market for organized inbound tourism registered a sharp increase in the number of foreigners traveling to Russia, three times the number during the 'lost' summer of 2023. In 2024, flows largely stabilized, the comparison base was no longer so low. Overall, the market increase will most likely be no longer so vast, but continue organically. Forecast data for organized tourism is 20-25%," ATOR's vice president for inbound tourism and Intourist's general director Alexander Musikhin told a press conference on the upcoming holiday season on Friday.

There are several factors affecting inbound tourism during high season, which might correct the forecast downward, he said. The first of these factors is the considerable strengthening of the ruble against the dollar and the euro.

"All services in the dollar equivalent are becoming palpably costlier, and our partners abroad are very sensitive to it, they are constantly asking and re-asking for a better price. At the same time, the demand among foreigners for quality accommodation during high season is very high, so no one is talking of any discounts. On the contrary, hotel and transportation prices increased by at least 30%. The average price of a Russia tour, including flights, to a foreigner is currently above $2,000," Musikhin said.

The other factors affecting inbound tourism is the requirement for tourists from visa-free countries to register on the Gosuslugi website (Russian government services) and a lack of direct flights from the most promising countries sending tourists: Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, Malaysia and several others, experts said. The issue with using foreign bank cards to pay for goods and services in Russia, which is currently impossible, is still relevant.

This summer, the biggest number of tourists are expected from China, who account for an estimated 65% of the total, tour operators said. In second place are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states (around 18%). They are followed by Iran (around 8%), India (around 4%), southeast Asian countries (around 4%), the CIS, Turkey and Europe (around 1%).

The most popular destinations among organized foreign tourists are Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, North Caucasus and Kazan. Chinese groups tend to prefer Siberian and Far Eastern cities.

In total, up to 800,000-850,000 foreign business travelers and tourists (both organized and independent) are predicted to visit Russia in June-August 2025, ATOR said.