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Tourist's paradise

Moscow Scoops Top City Prize in World Travel Awards

“The best city in the world,” says Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

conflict tourism

Russian Companies Launch Tours to War-Torn Syria

At least 334 Russian tourists have visited Syria this year despite government warnings for citizens to avoid the country.

security first

Russia Moves to Require Visitors to Submit Fingerprints

Russia has prosecuted over 30,000 foreigners in 2019 for violating migration law.

TOURIST-CLOGGED

St. Petersburg Officials Are Encouraging a Tourism Boom. Locals Fear an Invasion.

E-visas and cheap flights will attract up to 2 million more visitors a year to a city that is already bursting at the seams.

Eurotrip

European Budget Airlines Push For St. Petersburg Flights

Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air have applied to operate “seventh freedom flights.”

Hidden gem

Moscow Ranks Among World’s Top 10 Fall Travel Destinations – CNN

The Russian capital has “some unexpectedly fine spots” for taking in the fall foliage, according to the ranking.

Arctic holiday

Russia to Open Tourism Center in Remote Arctic Archipelago

Visits to Franz Josef Land must be made more attractive to tourists, the local national park director says.

world cup effect

Tourists Spent Record $13.5Bln in Moscow Last Year – City Hall

Some 5.5 million foreign tourists visited the Russian capital last year.

Tourist-friendly

Russia Offers Simplified E-Visas to Visitors of St. Petersburg

The move is expected to attract 12 million tourists to Russia's cultural capital each year.

Keep out

Russia Will Restrict Lake Baikal Tourism, Putin Aide Says

The limits may be needed “to preserve its unique nature and purity,” Sergei Ivanov said.

Tourism dent

Russian Flight Ban Could Cost Georgia $300M, Experts Say

The Kremlin said that Russia will lift the flight ban as soon as Georgia “resumes a non-Russophobic course.”

Ease of travel

Russia to Offer Electronic Visas by 2021, Putin Says

The e-visa offer will apply to single-entry visas for visits of up to 16 days in length.

Undesired destination

Tourists Avoid Moscow Due to Perceived High Costs, Lack of Safety – Study

Russia’s poor geopolitical image and a language barrier were also named as reasons why tourists travel elsewhere.

popular getaway

Russia Welcomed 10% More Tourists in 2018, FSB Says

Last year's FIFA World Cup will help tourism in 2019 significantly, officials say.

opinion

The Vladivostok Phenomenon: Should Russia Eliminate Visa Requirements for Chinese Tourists?

In the long run, Russia may lift the visa regime with China. But several issues stand in the way.

Tourism

Russia Could Introduce E-Visas by 2021, Media Reports

The system is set to be developed by October and later launched as a pilot project at limited border crossings.

Siberia

Spanish Cyclist Rescued in Siberia After Spending Night in -50 C in Summer Tent

The man is reportedly stranded in Siberia with no tickets back to Moscow until January.

Tourism

U.S. State Department Upgrades Russia in Travel Advisory System

The State Department reclassified Russia as a Level 2 “increased caution” country, together with states including Italy, Spain and France.

Crimea

Tourism in Crimea at Post-Soviet High, Russian Official Says

One out of six tourists who visited Crimea in 2018 was Ukrainian, the official said.

Tourism

World Cup Fans Granted Visa-Free Entry to Russia Under Newly Passed Bill

“Fan ID holders will be able to return to Russia without visas until the end of the year,” the Duma said Thursday.

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