Foreign tourist arrivals in Russia increased by 23% from January to…
Foreign tourist arrivals in Russia increased by 23% from January to May 2026, reaching 2 million people, driven by visa simplification and expanded international air connectivity. Moscow saw a rise in tourism with over 6 million visitors in the first quarter of 2026, including more than 550,000 foreign tourists.
Consensus
- The number of foreign tourists visiting Russia increased by 23% from January to May 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year.
- Moscow received over 6 million tourists in the first three months of 2026, including more than 550,000 international visitors.
- The growth in tourism is attributed to simplified visa procedures and expanded international air connections.
- Digital technologies such as virtual assistants and electronic keys are being implemented in Moscow's hotels.
Points of divergence
- Russian outbound tourism is expected to grow by only 8% in 2026, down from a previous forecast of 15%, due to the Middle East crisis and concerns over airspace closure. — vesti
- Moscow's overall tourist traffic grew by 5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, with foreign visitors increasing by 12% compared to the same period in 2025. — vm
Coverage (3 sources)
- Government officials note a nearly quarter increase in the number of foreign tourists — Интерфакс
- ATR: Number of Russian outbound tourists in 2026 will grow by only 8% — Вести
- From Belarus to Africa: Who is traveling to Moscow and what the city does for guests' comfort — Вечерняя Москва