During Tourism Day at the Russian exhibition and forum, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko spoke about a resilient rebound in domestic travel. He highlighted that, since 2021, demand for domestic tourism within Russia has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, a sign of lasting consumer confidence and sustained interest in exploring the country’s diverse destinations.
Despite ongoing sanctions that shape the international travel landscape, Chernyshenko noted a steady uptick in foreign visitors choosing Russia as a travel destination. This trend reflects a broader shift in global tourism, where curiosity about Russia’s cultural heritage, historic cities, and vast natural landscapes continues to attract travelers from around the world.
As part of his remarks, Chernyshenko confirmed a 20 percent growth in activity and highlighted that flight operations have climbed to roughly 78 million, underscoring the sector’s growing capacity to connect people with Russia’s regional hubs and scenic routes.
The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed to the pandemic as a turning point. While Covid-19 initially disrupted tourist flows on a global scale, the measures implemented to support the Russian tourism sector helped restore key indicators of industry health promptly and effectively, ensuring a quicker return to momentum once travel restrictions eased.
Economy officials present at the event included Maxim Reshetnikov, the Minister of Economic Development, who emphasized tourism’s vital role in both regional growth and the broader national economy. His observations underscored how tourism acts as a catalyst for urban renewal, infrastructure upgrades, and the vitality of small businesses that thrive on visitor activity.
Reshetnikov noted a noticeable rise in Russians traveling domestically, with increased operating revenues and greater investment in infrastructure aligning with rising demand. He cited the national project Tourism and Hospitality Industry as a framework that supports hotel development, including modular hotels, and the creation of tourism clusters that connect rural areas, historic towns, and coastal resorts through improved access and amenities.
The minister also highlighted the tourism potential for Russia, projecting as many as 140 million tourist trips by 2030. This optimistic outlook points to continued capital infusion, workforce development, and enhanced visitor experiences that can further position Russia as a compelling destination for travel enthusiasts across the region.
For context, the Tourism Day at the Russia exhibition forum on February 3 offered attendees a chance to engage in quests, lectures, master classes, and presentations, with activities and rewards centered on exploring Russia’s vast travel opportunities across all VDNKh venues. The event highlighted the country’s broad appeal—from historic urban centers to the far reaches of its natural landscapes—and served as a showcase for new initiatives designed to support travelers and industry stakeholders alike.