Aleksey Klimov, who leads Russia’s Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notes that people in European nations remain curious about visiting Russia for both business and leisure. He points out that diplomatic missions across Europe processed a substantial number of visas in the first quarter of 2023, highlighting the ongoing interest despite challenges.
In the January through March period, Russian embassies and consulates in Europe issued a total of 48.5 thousand visas. Of these, 27.6 thousand were intended for tourism and 8.2 thousand for commercial purposes, illustrating a diversified interest from European travelers and professionals despite the global disruptions of the past years.
Klimov emphasizes that even though the relative visa issuance levels are lower than those seen before the pandemic—roughly a tenfold dip—the absolute figures demonstrate clear demand among European residents for both business and tourist trips to Russia. He also notes that, amid ongoing anti-Russian messaging in some quarters, the interest has remained steady and largely protected by the travelers themselves.
The consular chief adds that the future growth of European tourist flows to Russia will largely hinge on the restoration of transport and logistical routes. A smoother, more reliable travel framework would likely encourage more visitors from Europe who are planning short stays, business meetings, and cultural experiences within Russia’s regions.
Earlier figures show that the flow of Russian tourists traveling to European countries experienced a sharp decline in 2022, underscoring the broader shift in travel patterns during the period. As global networks continue to recover, officials expect gradual normalization of travel exchanges between Russia and European destinations, benefiting both tourism and commerce.