ATOR: China will enter the top 3 most popular foreign destinations for Russia in 2026

By the end of 2026, China will be among the top 3 most popular foreign destinations for Russians, as well as among the top 3 countries from which tourists most often come to Russia. This was reported to journalists by Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

“China will enter the top 3 in terms of outbound travel and definitely the top 3 in terms of inbound travel; it is one of the largest destinations and a strategic direction for Russia,” she said on the sidelines of the FTT‑2026 Tourism Territories Forum.

 In 2026, the tourist flow to Russia from China grew, according to preliminary estimates, by 15 % compared to 2025. At the same time, the growth in border regions was even more significant — over 30 %. “Primarily, this refers to Primorye, the Khabarovsk Territory, the Amur Region, Zabaykalsky Krai, and the Irkutsk Region,” the expert said.

In addition to China, Russia is actively developing tourism with Turkey, Vietnam, Oman, and other countries in the Persian Gulf. “We are actively sending tourists there and would like to receive tourists from there,” Lomidze added.

Information source: TASS: https://tass.ru/ekonomika/28269775

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