Tourist flow between Russia and China to exceed 4 mln trips in 2026

Lead

Russian officials project that mutual tourist flow between Russia and China will increase by 60% in 2026 compared with the previous year, reaching 4-4.5 million trips, according to statements made at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and reported by TASS.

Nikita Kondratyev, director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry’s department for multilateral economic cooperation and special projects, told TASS that growth during the first three to four months of 2026 stood at 60%, with Chinese visitors to Russia up about 25% and Russian travelers to China up around 60%. He expressed hope that the trend would continue and expected the annual figure to hit 4-4.5 million trips.

In a separate interview, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said the mutual tourist flow could reach around 6 million trips by the end of 2027, citing the extension of the visa-free regime between the two countries.

Coverage comparison

All four reports cited in this article originate from TASS, Russia’s state news agency, which is known for carrying official Russian government positions. The reporting is consistent in tone and factual details, with no evidence of conflicting sources or independent verification. The projections come from Russian officials and have not been corroborated by other outlets or governmental bodies outside Russia.

The coverage emphasizes growth and positive outlook, framing the tourism increase as a result of deliberate policy decisions, such as the visa-free regime and expanded air connectivity. The reports also note a broader shift in Russia’s inbound tourism away from European markets toward Asia and the Middle East.

Key claims

• Mutual tourist flow increase: Officials project a 60% year-on-year increase in mutual tourist flow between Russia and China in 2026, reaching 4-4.5 million trips. This figure was stated by Nikita Kondratyev in a TASS interview at SPIEF.

• Growth by nationality: Chinese visitors to Russia grew by about 25%, while Russians traveling to China increased by about 60%, according to Kondratyev. The same figures were cited by Deputy Prime Minister Chernyshenko for the first quarter of 2026.

• Flight expansion: The number of flights between Russia and China is increasing, with 30-40 additional flights added in the first three to four months of 2026, as reported by Kondratyev. He also noted that new cities are being added to routes, and Siberia and the Russian Far East are now well connected with China.

• Visa-free regime extension: China has extended its visa-free entry policy for Russian citizens until December 31, 2027, allowing stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, or transit. Russia is also extending the visa-free regime, as stated by Chernyshenko and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

• 2027 projection: Chernyshenko projected that mutual tourist flow could reach around 6 million trips by the end of 2027, provided the current pace of growth continues.

• Overall inbound tourism to Russia: Kondratyev projected that foreign tourist flow to Russia in 2026 could rise by 20% compared to the previous year, reaching 7 million trips. He attributed this to a "systemic reorientation" of inbound tourism since 2022, with European tourists being replaced by travelers from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and China.

• Planned direct flights to Malaysia: Russia plans to launch direct flights to Malaysia in 2026 and increase flight frequencies to Indonesia, China, and India. Kondratyev also mentioned plans to boost air connectivity with Middle Eastern countries once the regional situation normalizes. These plans are reported by TASS and have not been independently confirmed.

Perspectives

The official Russian perspective, as presented by TASS, is optimistic about the growth in tourism with China and other Asian countries. Kondratyev frames the increase as a natural response to competitive pricing and improved air connectivity, while Chernyshenko highlights the mutual benefits of the visa-free regime. The reports also acknowledge a pivot away from traditional Western tourist markets, describing it as a "systemic reorientation" rather than a temporary shift.

No independent or critical perspectives are included in the provided coverage. The reports are based solely on statements from Russian officials, and the figures have not been verified against Chinese official data or other international sources. The expansion of flights and visa liberalization are presented as policy achievements, without discussion of potential challenges such as geopolitical tensions or economic factors that might affect tourism.

Corrections and context

It is important to note that the figures cited are projections, not actual final statistics. The 6 million trips by 2027 figure depends on the continuation of the current growth rate, which may be affected by external factors. Additionally, the visa-free regime extension was initially announced by Chinese authorities and later reciprocated by Russia, according to the reports. The suspension of tour sales to Middle Eastern countries, mentioned by Kondratyev, could also influence travel patterns, though this is not elaborated upon.

No corrections have been issued by TASS regarding the reported statements, and the numbers appear consistent across the four articles.

Sources: TASS reporting from the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (June 3-6, 2026), as reproduced in four separate articles.