RCT: outbound tourist flow is expected to reach 10 million by the end of 2023

Outbound tourism in the first half of the year grew by 15%, according to the results of the year. About 10 million Russians have made holidays outside Russia, said Ilya Umansky, President of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry (RCT).

“The industry is growing by 15%. We are counting on figures of about 10 million. We had high hopes for Turkey, and we expected that, compared to last year, the tourist flow to this country would increase from 5,2 million to 7 million. But so far, the forecasts have not come true due to changes in the cost of holidays in Turkey and the weakening of the ruble,” he said at a press conference.

As Umansky noted, this year the cost of holidays in Turkey has increased by about 47%. In turn, other outbound destinations began to take away the Russian tourist flow from the Republic.

“For example, the United Arab Emirates, which have offered attractive prices for Russians. Despite the heat, we have a high tourist flow there now. Also the Maldives, Egypt and Thailand, where we reached pre-pandemic indicators,” the expert added.

As for inbound tourism, its figures will be lower than last year.

“The industry is in dire need of some solutions, including the introduction of an e-visa, the launch of a "Tourist Card" to resolve payment issues, and a visa-free group travel exchange with China. We are waiting for guests from Iran and India,” Umansky explained.

According to the Border Service of the Russian Federation, in 2022 a little more than 200 thousand foreign tourists visited Russia, which is almost 30% less than a year earlier.