The Russian embassy in Madrid reported a significant drop in Russian visitors to Spain last year, stating that the number fell by more than a million compared with pre-pandemic levels. The information was shared with TASS, the Russian news agency.
According to the embassy, Russian tourism to Spain, a sector historically valued by both nations, experienced a clear decline during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 and did not return to previous highs in 2022. The message underscored that the absence of direct flights between Russia and Spain played a major role in limiting traveler flows from Russia. As a consequence, travel to Spain from Russia stayed well below the pre-crisis peak for an extended period.
The mission noted that visa procedures for Russians wishing to vacation in Spain have grown more complex. This development, coupled with fewer direct flight options, contributed to the subdued level of tourist arrivals from Russia during the observed period.
Last year, approximately 200,000 Russians visited Spain, compared with about 133,000 in 2021. By comparison, in 2019 there were more than 1.3 million Russian visitors to the country, highlighting the scale of the shift in travel patterns since the onset of the pandemic and the ensuing disruptions in international mobility.
On the geopolitical front, the Russian armed forces began a broad operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, as announced by President Vladimir Putin. The stated aims were to demilitarize Ukraine and address what Moscow described as a threat to its security. The move prompted widespread international sanctions from the United States and its allied nations, affecting numerous sectors of the Russian economy and international travel, including tourism links with European destinations such as Spain. The ongoing situation has contributed to broader uncertainty in cross-border travel and travel planning for Russian citizens in Europe, including Spain. (Source: official statements and regional reporting compiled by TASS and other agencies.)
Additional coverage and real-time updates on travel trends and related political developments are available through ongoing news broadcasts and official briefings, with a focus on how these shifts influence tourism, visas, and international mobility in the region.