Russian tourism to Hong Kong is growing fast. In the first five months of 2026, the number of Russian visitors went up by over 50% compared to the same period last year. This is according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). From January to May, Hong Kong welcomed 110,000 visitors from Russia. This figure represents a 57.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Among all European source markets, Russia currently holds the second position in terms of tourist volume, trailing only the United Kingdom, which recorded 169,000 arrivals. Officials noted that the UK’s leading position is historically tied to its legacy connections with the territory.  

As follows from the data of the Onlinetours package tour booking service, in Russia, the average check for foreign tours in the first half of 2026 increased to 196,500 rubles ($2,500), or by 7% compared to the same period in 2025. The demand for trips abroad increased by 44%. Turkey remained the leader in terms of booking volume, accounting for 31% (compared to 35% in the first half of 2025). The average price for a vacation in this country increased by 14% to 226,900 rubles ($2,900).

Previously, Russians had to apply for a regular "paper" visa to travel to Taiwan: prepare a package of documents, personally contact the Taiwan representative office in Moscow and wait for consideration. Now the entire process is done remotely: an electronic visa system for entry to Taiwan was launched for Russians on July 7. The program has been launched on a one-year trial basis, until July 2027, and, if successful, may be extended.

For the first time, the Chinese island of Hainan has overtaken Thailand in monthly Russian tourist arrivals, marking a seismic shift in outbound travel patterns. In June 2026, Hainan received 70,115 Russian visitors – 7% more than Thailand’s 65,518.  Thailand has long been the undisputed leader for Russian beach holidays in Asia. Yet June’s numbers tell a different story. Hainan’s 73% year‑on‑year growth propelled it past the Thai kingdom, with Russians accounting for nearly half (46.09%) of all foreign arrivals to the island that month.

The B2B travel trade fair ITB China 2026 successfully took place from 26–28 May in Shanghai, China. The event was hosted at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in the Pudong district, bringing together the global travel industry under one roof.  This year's show was the largest to date, growing by 20% and featuring over 900 exhibiting companies from 85 countries and regions. More than 280 international hosted buyers and media representatives attended the event, highlighting global interest in the Chinese market. 

ITB China 2026 will take place from 26–28 May 2026 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center.

Starting September 15, 2025, China introduced a one-year visa-free regime for Russian citizens. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting visa-free entry to Russia for Chinese citizens.

ITB China 2026, one of the flagship events in China’s travel industry, grows by 20% in net exhibition space and brings together more than 900 travel organisations and 1,700 key buyers, generating over 46,000 pre-scheduled meetings.

Taking place from 26–28 May 2026 in Shanghai, the ITB China Conference will feature 70+ topics and 180+ global speakers, offering a premier platform for dialogue between China and the international travel industry.

Russian tourist flow to the Chinese island of Hainan, having reached record levels last year, continues to rapidly increase in 2026.

The cross-border cable car is being built within the framework of an intergovernmental agreement between the Russian Federation and China, concluded in September 2015.

Tourism makes approximately 10% of Greenland's exports, with fisheries accounting for the remaining 90%. Economic diversification has become a key priority for the government, which aims for tourism to account for 40% of exports by 2035

Most of the visitors came from China, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Cuba. This increase in international tourism has a significant impact on the economy of the city.

China will introduce a trial visa-free regime for Russian citizens with a regular passport for up to 30 days from September 15. It will be valid for a year, said the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Guo Jiakun.

Tourist flow from Moscow to Beijing increased by 83% in the first five months of 2025. The data was compared with the same period in 2024.

The agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and China on mutual visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports comes into force on July 16, 2025.

According to preliminary forecasts by ATOR analysts, this summer the volume of outbound tourist flow to popular foreign tourist destinations will grow by 24.8% year-on-year.

According to the Border Service of the Russian Federation, in the first quarter of 2025, 228851 foreigners visited Russia for tourism purposes.

The 47th session of the UNESCO Committee will be held in July 2025, where new sites will be selected for the World Heritage List.