Russia has been experiencing a tourism uptick in the summer of 2024, despite the ongoing war. The latest Skift Travel Health Index for June 2024 shows a 12 percentage point surge in tourism performance in Russia compared to May 2024, with an index of 103 indicating a 3% rise over the previous year. The Russian government has been actively promoting tourism through campaigns like “Discover Russia” at international exhibitions, leading to positive results with foreign tourist arrivals growing year-on-year since the start of 2024.
In an effort to further boost tourism, Russia is on the verge of implementing visa-free travel for Indians, similar to agreements already in place with China and Iran. This initiative is expected to increase Indian tourist arrivals in Moscow by up to 30%. Data from OAG also indicates rising airline seat capacity, reaching 12% below pre-pandemic levels in June 2024. These strategic marketing efforts and visa waivers are contributing to the recent gains in Russian tourism, highlighting the country’s efforts to attract foreign visitors.
Despite the positive trends, Russia’s tourism industry has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with numbers still at approximately 79% of what they were in 2019. However, the country has set a goal to attract 9.5 million foreign tourists in the current year, showcasing its commitment to further develop and grow the tourism sector. As Russia continues to make strategic efforts and promote itself as a tourist destination, it is likely that tourism performance will continue to improve and attract more visitors in the coming months.
The Rise of Russian tourism in the summer of 2024 is a surprising trend that has captured attention. The country’s efforts to promote itself through campaigns and initiatives such as visa-free travel for Indians have shown positive results, with foreign tourist arrivals increasing year-on-year. With rising airline seat capacity and strategic marketing efforts in place, Russia is positioning itself as an attractive destination for international tourists.
The Skift Travel Health Index for June 2024 provides further insights into the performance of the Russian tourism industry, highlighting the recent gains and positive trends. As Russia aims to attract more foreign tourists and recover from the impacts of the pandemic and war, its strategic efforts and marketing campaigns are playing a key role in shaping the future of its tourism sector. By continuing to implement visa waivers and promote itself as a destination, Russia is on track to achieve its goal of attracting 9.5 million foreign tourists in the current year, further fueling the growth of its tourism industry.
