The tourist flow of foreigners to Russia this summer may grow by 20%

The number of foreign tourists in Russia in June – August may increase by 20% compared to last summer. In some regions, the figures will be higher due to the growing interest in them. This was reported to Izvestia on July 21 at the Center for Strategic Research (CSR).

The main locomotives will be the markets of Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam), India, Turkey and the Persian Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar). Due to the geopolitical situation and air travel restrictions, there will be fewer tourists from Iran.

"The summer months are traditionally the peak season for both domestic and inbound tourism. The summer of 2025 promises to demonstrate good dynamics and expansion of the geography of flows. The high season will last until the end of September," said Oleg Kochug, Director of the Center for International Tourism Development.

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As in previous years, Moscow and St. Petersburg will have the largest influx of foreign visitors: these cities will host about 80% of all intourists this summer. "Two Capitals" retains its leadership due to its high level of transport accessibility, event events and a wide range of hotels.

As intourists get to know Russia, they are increasingly considering the Sverdlovsk, Novosibirsk, and Moscow regions for travel. Interest in Kamchatka, Altai, Tatarstan, the Sochi coast of the Krasnodar Territory, and the Caucasian republics has increased. The tourist flow will also increase in the regions of the Far East: if in the spring there were fewer intourists in the Amur Region, Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories than a year earlier, the summer period will compensate for the lag. The Kaliningrad region can be singled out in particular: due to the increased demand from our citizens for the region, there are not enough places for foreigners.

Against the background of positive dynamics, experts also note factors that can adjust the forecast. Among them are possible fluctuations in exchange rates that affect the price of tours for foreign guests, and issues of transport accessibility in certain regions.

Inbound tourism continues to grow after the pandemic. Analysts noted that the summer of 2025 will be a time of sustained demand and broader regional coverage: foreign visitors are ready to discover Russia's unique routes and natural resources.

Earlier, on June 17, it was reported that interest in student tourism had increased by one and a half times. The Ministry of Education and Science clarified that since the beginning of 2025, 57 thousand participants have registered in the Studtourism program.

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