Economic Watch: Russian tourist market eyes bring in more Chinese visitors

MOSCOW, Oct. 7 (Xinhua )– During China’s week-long National Day vacation this year, Chinese travelers are often seen on the streets of Moscow. “Russia is a unique country and a must-visit,” stated Wang Xinzuo, who checked out a number of Russian cities and explained his journey as smooth and pleasurable.

In the very first half of 2026, Chinese travelers represented over 50 percent of all incoming traveler journeys to Russia.

“We are witnessing a substantial rise in travel volumes. In 2025, the number of mutual tourist visits exceeded 3 million. According to our data, 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter alone this year, marking a 44 percent increase year on year,” Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui stated before the vacation.

Russia is getting ready for additional development. In early September, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko stated the nation intends to accommodate more than 5.5 million Chinese travelers by 2030.

Behind the figures lies a market adjusting to a brand-new generation of Chinese tourists.

MOSCOW: FROM GROUP TO INDEPENDENT TRAVEL

Moscow stays the primary entrance for Chinese travelers. According to the Border Service of the Russian Federation, 240,000 Chinese travelers checked out Moscow in the very first half of 2026, up 7 percent year on year.

The profile of visitors is altering. Assisted group trips are ending up being less dominant as more youthful and more independent Chinese tourists get here.

More than 80 percent of tourists from China pertain to Moscow individually, consisting of for company, according to Bulat Nurmukhanov, deputy chairman of the Moscow Tourism Committee.

In action, a China Friendly accreditation program is broadening in Moscow, covering services such as Chinese-language info, adjusted menus and skilled personnel.

The Cosmos Hotel Group informed Xinhua that 2 of its 4- and luxury hotels in Moscow have actually gotten the accreditation, with more homes prepared to sign up with the program.

Moscow has likewise enhanced its promo in China through Chinese-language tourist services, social networks and cooperation with Chinese travel platforms, while highlighting its cultural heritage and modern-day tourist attractions.

AREAS SEEK NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Beyond Moscow, Russian areas are significantly completing for Chinese travelers.

In St. Petersburg, the variety of Chinese travelers has actually increased by almost 60 percent given that 2021, according to Nana Gvichiya, deputy chair of the city’s Tourism Development Committee. Chinese visitors are revealing a growing interest not just in archaeological sites however likewise in regional food and innovative areas.

In the Altai area, the variety of Chinese travelers increased 1.5 times in 2025 from the previous year, surpassing 6,000 for the very first time, stated Alexander Baryshnikov, head of the local Department for Tourism and Resort Development.

The area gets less Chinese visitors than Moscow and St. Petersburg partially since of an absence of direct flights, regional companies are enhancing services and establishing China-friendly tourist items. A number of hotels and resorts have actually gotten China Friendly accreditation, while trip operators have actually established specific paths and promoted them through global exhibits and Chinese social networks.

In Russia’s Far East, the Amur area has actually taped a 60 percent boost in Chinese travelers given that the intro of the visa-free policy in between China and Russia in 2025, Governor Vasily Orlov stated. The area prepares more than 200 joint occasions with China in 2026.

An organized cross-border cable television vehicle connecting Blagoveshchensk and Heihe is likewise anticipated to increase tourist. As soon as finished, the journey in between the 2 nations will take simply over 2 minutes, with a yearly capability of 2.5 million travelers.

ADJUSTING SERVICES

The quick development has actually likewise exposed spaces in Russia’s tourist facilities. Professionals and travelers mention language barriers, problems with digital payments and a scarcity of competent personnel, especially outside significant traveler locations.

“Special attention should be paid to the training of professional guides for Chinese groups in Russia,” stated Anastasia Pavlova, a specialist on cultural and tourist cooperation at the Russian State University for the Humanities.

Ilya Umansky, president of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry, worried the requirement for closer cooperation in between the 2 sides in the tourist sector.

“Today we find ourselves in a unique state of revival of our mutual tourist exchanges,” Umansky stated. “I am confident that we have a great future.”■