The Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing has mandated all Russians arriving in the country by any means of transport to get tested for COVID-19 within three days of their arrival and submit the results to a special government portal, the watchdog’s…

A Russian company that planned to send tourists to space through the country’s first private cosmodrome has scrapped the project and will permanently close.

Kosmokurs’ operations will cease due to “insurmountable difficulties” in coordinating with local authorities on the cosmodrome project…

Over 700,000 people have used the Russpass digital travel service in the first six months since its introduction. The platform helps people plan trips in Moscow and across Russia, book flights, train tickets and guided tours, make restaurant bookings, as well as learn about places worth seeing in…

On March 27-28, the second Moscow Travel Hack in tourism sector was held in Moscow. It was attended by 60 teams from 16 Russian regions. The competitors solved the tasks proposed by Russian travel companies and services for almost 30 hours. As a result, the jury selected 10 winners.

“It…

The management of the interregional tourist project "Silver Ring of Russia" plans to attract foreign tourists after the opening of the borders, said Sergei Korneev, Chairman of the Committee for Tourism Development of St. Petersburg.

"There is interest of foreigners to the Russian North.…

Matthew Greppo has been appointed Regional General Manager of Accor's Luxury Division in Russia and the CIS and General Manager of Swissotel Krasnye Holmy.

In his new role, Matthew Greppo will be responsible for Swissotel Krasnye Holmy, as well as maintain and improve the financial performance…

Foreign nationals may now enter Russia for work purposes as long as their employer obtains permission ahead of time, according to a decree published by the Russian government.

The decree, which went into effect on Feb. 16, follows a nearly yearlong suspension on most foreign arrivals to…

I met Elina Bataeva during my trip to Grozny (Chechen Republic) several years ago. A young modern and at the same time traditionally dressed lady impressed me with her ambitious plans for inbound tourism in one of the most knotted regions of Russia. Military actions of Chechen separatists…

An electronic visa to enter Russia may become multiple, Ivan Volynkin, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s consular department, said.

A short-term e-visa was supposed to start operating in Russia from January 1, 2021. However, due to COVID-19, the issuance of unified electronic visas…

In the third quarter of 2020, the total number of arrivals of foreigners to Russia decreased by 82% to 1,8 million, the FSB border service reported.

In the second quarter, 509 thousand foreigners arrived in Russia, and most of them were citizens of Kazakhstan, Ukraine and the Philippines.…

Foreigners whose countries have visa-free travel agreements with Russia will once again be able to come to the country for short business trips, according to a decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Russia sealed its borders to nearly all foreigners in late March in an effort…

According to the latest data from the Border Service of Russia, 0 people visited Russia with tourist purposes in the second quarter of 2020.

Due to the lack of visits of foreigners with tourist purposes, inbound tourism in Russia in the first half of the year decreased by 83,6%, compared…

A representative for Russia’s consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor told that the following categories of foreign citizens can travel to Russia:

— Diplomats and their family members,

— Members of intergovernmental commissions, committees or special delegations,

—…

Turkish Ambassador to Russia Mehmet Samsar said that the need to obtain Russian visas for Turkish citizens is the main obstacle for the growth of tourist flow.

“Turkish tourists are also interested in Russia. Unfortunately, the visa regime that Russia still applies for Turkish citizens is…

A simplified entry regime into the Russian Federation from 2021 will be valid for almost half of the people living in the world. This will make Russia one of the most opened countries in the world, reported the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"Since 2021, the most liberal…

From January to March 2020, 5,5 million foreigners visited Russia. Of these, 322,8 thousand people came with tourist purposes. This is 140 thousand less than in the same period last year. Inbound flow to Russia fell in almost all destinations.

The main flow of foreigners into Russia is from…

The head of the Crimea, Sergei Aksenov, believes that this year only internal tourism is possible on the peninsula due to the situation with the spread of coronavirus infection.

“There will be no foreign tourism. Everyone understands this. As for domestic tourism, if there are corresponding…

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin extended for an indefinite period the ban on the entry of foreign citizens into Russia. Tour operators hope the restoration of inbound tourism in Russia will begin in October-November this year.

“Until April 30, inclusive, there is a restriction on entry…

Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency (Rosturizm) wants to help the industry recover from the coronavirus crisis by relaxing visa rules after the country reopens its borders.

According to the agency’s recommendations, Russia should introduce multiple-entry tourist visas valid for up to five years…

The Russian Far East Kamchatka Peninsula prepares new tourist programs and routes to attract visitors not only during the summer season but also in autumn, the region’s head of the tourism agency Elena Tratonova told.

In 2019, Kamchatka welcomed more than 240 000 tourists (a growth by 26…