Articles - The Moscow Times

Support The Moscow Times!

Contribute today

Russian Tourists Flock to Thailand – Bloomberg

The number of Russian visitors to Thailand has skyrocketed by more than 1,000% this year.

Crimea’s Tourism Industry Faces Another Lost Summer as War Rages On

Putin promised prosperity and security when he annexed Crimea in 2014. Now his war on Ukraine could be a fatal blow for the region’s tourism sector.

out of isolation

Russians' Foreign Travel Picks Up Despite Wartime Hurdles

Turkey, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates were among the destinations with the highest increases in visits.

inbound traffic

Travel to Russia Picks Up in 2023 as EU Citizens Make Reluctant Return

The FSB recorded a 17% increase in January-March 2023 visits to Russia compared with the same time last year.

growing interest

Russian Tourists Set Sights on Europe Despite Flight, Visa Limits

Russia’s leading independent travel management company has seen a 30-40% increase in EU visa requests compared to April 2022.

Tourism to Russia Plummets to 4% of Pre-Pandemic Levels Amid Ukraine War

Foreign tourism to Russia fell below 4% of its pre-pandemic levels in 2022 as the country faced international condemnation over its invasion of Ukraine...

market collapse

Organized Tourism to Russia Drops by 90% in 2022 – Kommersant

The number of foreigners visiting Russia as part of an organized tour plummeted by more than 90% during 2022 as the country’s international isolation...

Sign of the times

Putin Abolishes Russia's Federal Tourism Agency

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a decree abolishing Rostourism, Russia’s federal tourism agency, and handing its remit to the...

Poland, Baltics Enact EU Visa Ban for Russians

Holders of residence permits, family members, humanitarian cases and dissidents are unaffected.

new destination

Russians Flock to Belarus for Sanctions-Free Shopping Tourism

The demand for tours to Russia’s ex-Soviet ally has been unexpectedly high since the invasion, according to travel agents.

paying the price

Cost of Vacation Packages for Russians Rises 70% Amid Ukraine War

The cost of many flights out of Russia has also doubled reportedly because of Western sanctions.

fresh restrictions

Finland Preparing to Limit Russian Tourist Visas

As flights from Russia to the EU have been halted, Finland has become a transit country for many Russians seeking to travel further into Europe.

Wartime getaway

Fighter Jets and Warships: Russians Get a Taste of Crimea Summer Vacation

Russian warships were visible in the distance as beachgoers cooled off in the sea.

Crimea Sees Tourist Numbers Plummet Amid Ukraine War

Hotels in Crimea have seen guest numbers fall by more than a third compared to last year.

'siberian holidays'

Russia Launches Tourist Route to Putin's Vacation Spots

The 1,200-kilometer route stretches across Siberia, where Putin often takes highly publicized holidays.

Crimea Tourism Industry Hit by Ukraine War Disruption

Russian tourists are canceling holiday bookings because of travel difficulties and safety concerns.

Moscow Overtakes Paris and London as Go-to Destination for Wealthy Arab Tourists

Tourists from the Middle East are turning to Moscow as Covid-19 restrictions prevent them from visiting European capitals.

Foreigners Cancel Trips to Russia Over Covid Pass Uncertainty

Visitors vaccinated with non-Russian jabs are not allowed to visit popular tourist destinations in certain cities.

Russians Flock to Travel Ahead of Nationwide Virus Restrictions

Bookings for tour packages to places like Turkey and Egypt have soared since the non-working period was announced.

red guide to russia

How Russia Got its Michelin Stars

Getting a Michelin Guide is the biggest thing to happen to Moscow restaurants in a century.

View more articles