According to the Border Service of the Russian Federation, in the first quarter of 2025, 228851 foreigners visited Russia for tourism purposes. This is 4.62% more than in the first quarter of 2024 (218,750 people), but almost 2 times less than before the pandemic (almost 470 thousand tourists in the first quarter of 2019). At the same time, China remains the main supplier of tourists to Russia. But the Arab countries are setting records for the growth rate of the number of trips this year. Saudi Arabia has made a real breakthrough.
Having regained its position in the ranking after the pandemic and the opening of borders, China remains the absolute leader in the inbound tourism segment to Russia (106,782 tourists). Having increased the tourist flow by almost 8% compared to the first quarter of 2024 (98.9 thousand), China is gradually approaching pre-pandemic indicators.
In second place in terms of incoming tourists is Turkey (13,129 tourists, +5.19% compared to the first quarter of 2024).
For the first time in the history of Russian inbound tourism, Saudi Arabia has found itself in the TOP-3 markets. Before the pandemic, in the first quarter of 2019, only 210 tourists from Saudi Arabia came to Russia. In the first quarter of 2025, their number increased 47 times - to 9.9 thousand. In addition, Saudi Arabia became the absolute leader in terms of growth rates of inbound tourist flow to Russia - plus +65.24% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
In fourth place by the number of tourists in the first quarter of 2025 was Turkmenistan (9,293 visits for tourist purposes). But in fact, there are practically no classic organized tourists from this country in Russia - all these are business and private trips. However, compared to last year, even this «tourist flow» showed a sharp, almost avalanche-like, decline (-41.38%). The reason is obvious: Turkmenistan Airlines suspended flights to Russia from December 30, 2024. They resumed only in April 2025.
Germany (7,313 tourists, a drop of -12.93%) closes the TOP-5. Previously, this country was one of the main suppliers of tourists to Russia, but now the absolute majority of these visits are of a private nature (visits to relatives), despite the purpose of the visit indicated upon entry as «tourism».
In sixth place is another «newcomer» of the TOP-10 - the UAE. For comparison, in the first quarter of 2019, only 600 tourists from this country came to Russia, in 2025 their number increased to 6,785 people. However, in comparison with the first quarter of 2024, the tourist flow from the Emirates decreased slightly (- 6.67%).
Iran is in seventh place (4,824 tourists). Russia has an agreement with Iran on a visa-free regime for group tourists. The tourist flow from Iran is growing, but rather slowly - only +6% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Cuba is in eighth place (4,824 tourists, +2.3%). There are practically no classic organized tourists from Cuba to Russia; most of these «tourist» visits are private and business in nature.
India is in ninth place (4,457 tourists). Compared to the first quarter of last year, the tourist flow has grown by 30.44%. However, now mainly individual tourists or small groups come to Russia from India. The geopolitical situation and security issues prevent them from traveling.
Kazakhstan closes the TOP-10 (3,553 tourists, -5.81%). Despite the fact that most of these visits are private and business, there are also organized classic tourists from Kazakhstan to Russia.
