Russian ministry reports 17% rise in inbound tourism

Inbound tourism to Russia increased by 17% in January-August, Deputy Economic Development Minister Dmitry Vakhrukov told RBC. He identified foreign visitors as one potential source of further growth for the sector.

Vakhrukov also expects domestic demand to benefit from short weekend breaks, trips around major cities and car-based tourism. Such trips could supplement people's main holidays, he said.

He described a second or third trip as a short, inexpensive journey that could include a hotel stay. The deputy minister linked a return to positive momentum in the sector to a normalisation of conditions.

Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov previously said visitors from China, Gulf countries, Türkiye and India led inbound tourist flows in the first half of the year. The 17% growth figure covers eight months, rather than the full year.