Since the start of 2023, the number of foreign visitors to Primorsky Krai has surged dramatically, rising by a factor of twenty-seven compared with the same period a year earlier. This growth was reported by the regional tourism agency via its Telegram channel, reflecting a notable shift in the region’s tourist appeal.
In the first nine months of the year, more than 133,000 international guests arrived in Primorsky Region. By comparison, the agency noted that the comparable figure for the previous year stood at only about 5,000 travelers, underscoring a substantial uptick in inbound tourism to this Russian Far East destination.
Breakdowns show that a majority of these visitors, about 56 percent, hail from China. Yet travelers from Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, Taiwan, France, Mexico and many additional countries also chose Primorsky Territory as part of their travel plans, illustrating a broadening geographic reach for the region’s tourism market.
Border entry requires a standard or electronic visa for visitors to Primorsky Territory. At the same time, a portion of travelers opts to join organized group tours under the intergovernmental agreement between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China, reflecting a coordinated approach to cross-border travel in the area.
Officials have observed a clear shift in tourist geography this year, noting that guests from countries previously rarely seen in the region have become more active. This evolving mix of visitors opens up new possibilities for developing the local tourism sector and expanding services to meet diverse international expectations, according to the regional tourism agency leadership.
Looking ahead, industry observers are watching how the changing flows of international guests may influence winter holiday preferences among visitors and how Primorsky Territory can position itself as a year-round destination for travelers from North America and beyond, leveraging growing interest from Canadian and American audiences.