MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first half of 2026, Russia welcomed 2.5 million international visitors, reflecting a 20.1% increase compared to the same period last year. China continued to lead as the top source market, representing over 22% of all foreign travelers. These figures underscore a notable rise in inbound tourism during January through June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, announced the tourism statistics during meetings held in Shenyang, China.
The data are derived from official tourism statistics that track foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation facilities across Russia. Rosstat reports also show that Russians undertook 43.2 million domestic trips during the first half of 2026, a 4.3% rise from the same period in 2025. Consequently, inbound tourism expanded at a faster year-on-year pace than domestic travel, based on separate official metrics for each category.
During this period, China maintained its position as the leading source of foreign visitors to Russia. Other significant source markets included travelers from Persian Gulf nations, Turkey, and India. Visitors explored beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian authorities also noted direct international air links to 34 destinations, encompassing several countries in Asia and the Middle East.
China Dominates Russia’s Inbound Tourism Market
The latest tourism data were presented at a Tourism Council meeting of the Greater Tumen Initiative in Shenyang. Attendees also participated in a seminar dedicated to inbound travel in Northeast Asia, discussing cross-border projects involving Russia, China, and Mongolia. Among these is the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has entered the implementation phase and will include approximately 20 Russian regions.
The Russian segment of the Great Tea Road stretches from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga region, extending toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other projects covered included the connections between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, tourism development around Vladivostok, the Trans-Siberian Railway, Lake Baikal, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Arrivals Between Russia and China Grow
Changes in travel regulations are also supporting increased visitor numbers. Russia has extended visa-free entry for eligible Chinese nationals through Dec. 31, 2027, while China has reciprocated, allowing Russian citizens to visit without a visa until the same date. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, ordinary Russian passport holders can stay for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
The first-half statistics reflect a broader upward trend in cross-border movement. Chinese official data indicated that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter of 2026, a 44% increase from the previous year. During the same period, Russia ranked second as a destination for Chinese travelers. The new figures highlight China’s prominent position in Russia’s international tourism market, accounting for more than 20% of all recorded international guests.