俄旅游协会：免签将增加三成中国游客

Core Points - Russia's temporary visa-free policy for Chinese citizens, announced on December 1, has generated significant excitement within the Russian tourism industry [1][3] - The implementation of the visa-free policy is expected to increase the number of Chinese tourists to Russia by at least 30%, with potential for doubling the number when considering business travel [1][3] - The visa-free policy is seen as a strong incentive for various sectors related to tourism, including hotels, transportation, and dining [3] Industry Impact - The Russian tourism operator association reported a 7.6% year-on-year increase in foreign tourists visiting Russia in the first half of 2025, totaling 629,000, but still far below the nearly 2 million foreign tourists in the same period of 2019 [4] - Chinese tourist arrivals in Russia increased by 5.3% year-on-year, reaching 317,831 visitors in the first half of this year, with over half of foreign tour groups coming from China during the summer [4] - There is a growing demand for travel routes to Russia's Far East and Irkutsk region among Chinese tourists, although demand for Moscow and St. Petersburg has decreased due to frequent airport controls and flight delays [4] - Russian authorities are preparing for the anticipated increase in tourist numbers by discussing improvements in mobile communication, payment systems, and simplifying border control procedures through biometric information [4]