Kalmykia demonstrates record growth of the tourism industry

The Republic of Kalmykia has consistently demonstrated a steady increase in tourist attractiveness in recent years. The first major event of the year, the Tulip Festival, attracted about 200,000 guests. The region is actively developing host infrastructure, service services, and hospitality facilities, new tourist routes are emerging, and the cultural and natural heritage of the Kalmyk ethnic group is being actively popularized and promoted.

The bet on the industry is paying off — by the end of 2025, Kalmykia was visited by about 1 million people, and in 2026 it is expected to grow to 1.5 million tourists. The relative figures also confirm the positive trend: according to data for 2025, the number of guests to the republic increased by 81.7% at once — unprecedented figures for the subjects of the Russian Federation.

One of the secrets of a successful strategy is the effective use of the natural identity of the steppe zone of southern Russia, as well as the emphasis on national traditions and the promotion of the cultural and natural heritage of the region. There are about 30 tourist sites in the republic, including ethnographic complexes and demonstration sites.

Kalmykia is actively developing temporary accommodation facilities of various formats, from hotels and hostels to glamping sites and tourist bases. As of March 2026, there are 51 tourist facilities in the region — more than 900 rooms, five tour operators and 86 travel agencies.

The visiting season in the Republic of Kalmykia traditionally opens with the Tulip Festival. In 2026, it started on April 4 and lasted until the end of the month. It is estimated that about 200 thousand people took part in the events. The dynamics is obvious: in 2024, about 40 thousand tourists came to admire the multicolored steppes, in 2025 — about 70 thousand.

The festival's events take place both in attractive natural locations and at urban venues. The program is full of various cultural events, and participants are offered a variety of sightseeing routes and ethnographic programs.

"The Tulip Festival is an opportunity to show our unique culture and nature, ancient traditions and customs of nomads. Here everyone can touch the history, see how the Kalmyk land lives and develops. This is a powerful impetus for tourism, economy and infrastructure of the republic, which makes Kalmykia recognizable and attractive," said the head of the republic Batu Khasikov.

The program was also full of events: the Camel Trophy trail race took place, which was held on the territory of the republic for the first time. A separate MahanFest festival was organized for lovers of gastronomic delights.

The guests of the festival had the most vivid impressions after the performances at the gala concert of musical ethnogroups participating in the All-Russian project "Sound of Eurasia". Original ethnocompositions were presented by musicians from Moscow, Kalmykia, Mordovia, Mari El and other regions of the country.