In 2022, approximately 8.2 million visits were made by foreign citizens to Russia. In 2020, there was a significant decrease in tourist arrivals due to international border closures to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Over the observed period, the maximum foreign visitor number in Russia was recorded at nearly 26.9 million in 2015.
Chinese travel behavior in Russia
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Chinese tourists to Russia peaked at nearly 1.9 million tourist trips in 2019. Due to travel restrictions, the number of visitors from China decreased drastically 83 thousand in 2020. Tourism was the main purpose of travel for Chinese visitors in the country, occupying 64 percent of total trips in 2019, followed by employment and business travel. On average, the spending per tourist reached nearly 460 U.S. dollars per trip in 2019.
Is tax-free shopping available in Russia?
The tax-free program was launched in Russia in 2018 and was available in 16 regions of the country as of 2020. Tax-free shopping allows foreign travelers, except for those from CIS countries, to claim a value-added tax (VAT) back on every purchase worth at least 10 thousand Russian rubles made in stores participating in the program. In 2020, the total VAT reimbursement to tax-free shoppers in Russia reached approximately 550 million Russian rubles after the travelers purchased goods worth 16.4 billion Russian rubles in participating stores.
Number of inbound tourism visits to Russia from 2014 to 2022
(in 1,000s)
Characteristic
Number of tourism trips in thousands
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Inbound tourism trips (visits) are defined by the source as "a trip made by a foreign citizen (national) to the Russian Federation, over the reference period, for any main purpose (business, leisure, or other personal purpose) other than to be employed by a resident entity (enterprise) registered in the Russian Federation. Trips of foreign service staff (crews) on public mode of transport, diplomats, national diplomats, consulate personnel, military personnel and their beneficiaries should not be included in the number of inbound tourism visits."
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Russian Federal State Statistics Service. (September 6, 2023). Number of inbound tourism visits to Russia from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 09, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/888119/russia-international-tourist-arrivals/
Russian Federal State Statistics Service. "Number of inbound tourism visits to Russia from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s)." Chart. September 6, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 09, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/888119/russia-international-tourist-arrivals/
Russian Federal State Statistics Service. (2023). Number of inbound tourism visits to Russia from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 09, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/888119/russia-international-tourist-arrivals/
Russian Federal State Statistics Service. "Number of Inbound Tourism Visits to Russia from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 6 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/888119/russia-international-tourist-arrivals/
Russian Federal State Statistics Service, Number of inbound tourism visits to Russia from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/888119/russia-international-tourist-arrivals/ (last visited July 09, 2024)
Number of inbound tourism visits to Russia from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s) [Graph], Russian Federal State Statistics Service, September 6, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/888119/russia-international-tourist-arrivals/