A shift toward visa-free travel and the introduction of electronic visas with China could play a pivotal role in sustaining and expanding tourist arrivals to Moscow. This perspective was shared by Yevgeny Kozlov, who serves as Mayor and First Deputy Head of the Government of the Capital, leads the City Tourism Committee, and spoke at a Russian-Chinese business forum in Shanghai. The remarks were reported by TASS.
“Indeed, tourism faced a downturn during the pandemic, yet there is a strong push among our partners to implement a visa-free regime and an electronic visa system. The expectation is clear: these measures should not only preserve tourism levels but also accelerate growth,” Kozlov stated. His assessment reflects a broader belief that simplified entry rules can attract more visitors from China, supporting Moscow’s hospitality sector and related services as international travel resumes momentum.
According to the First Deputy Mayor, Chinese travelers typically spend a substantial amount on their vacations in Russia, with estimates around $900 per visitor. To capitalize on this spending, Moscow and national authorities are urged to present a wide array of compelling opportunities and memorable experiences, ensuring visitors depart with a lasting and favorable impression of Russia as a destination.
In early May, the newspaper Kommersant cited data from the border service of the Federal Security Service indicating a rebound in tourism following the pandemic. The report noted that tourist flows to Russia rose by about 17 percent in the first quarter of 2023 compared with the preceding period, signaling a recovering sector as international travel gradually normalizes.
Earlier in the year, the Russian Embassy in China reported via its press service that approximately 51 thousand visas had been issued by Russian diplomatic missions in China since the start of 2023, illustrating sustained engagement and the willingness of both sides to facilitate travel and business exchange as part of broader bilateral cooperation.