The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) has released data showing the impact of the country’s invasion of Ukraine on tourism. The numbers show that international tourism to Russia has dropped significantly, with only 200,100 tourists traveling to Russia in 2022.
When compared to numbers pre-pandemic, the outlook is extremely bleak. In 2019, the last full year before the coronavirus outbreak, 5.1 million people visited. This is a whopping difference of 2450% if the border service data provided by the country’s Federal Security Service is to be believed.
Remarkably, tourism figures during the pandemic were also higher than what they currently are. In 2020, 335,800 people visited Russia as tourists, while 288,300 international tourists visited in 2021.
In a statement released by ATOR, they put the drop down to airspace and visa issues rather than the war directly. It read: “The reasons are clear: closed skies between Russia and the vast majority of European countries, as well as the inability to use foreign-issued visas and MasterCard cards in Russia.”
Both of these issues directly result from the war, with many countries imposing financial and airspace sanctions on Russia almost immediately after they invaded their neighbors.
An Unsurprising Revelation
The news that Russia is facing tourism issues is hardly surprising. The vast majority of people across the world view Russia as an unnecessary aggressor and therefore have no interest in visiting. There is, of course, also the worry of flying over there and then becoming embroiled in conflict.
In a survey conducted across 27 countries in the world last year, 61% of people said that they believed the war in Ukraine posed a risk to their country. With that in mind, why would you visit somewhere that you think is that dangerous when there are so many other places you could go to instead?
Despite that, there have, of course, still been some tourists prepared to go. Germany had the highest number of tourists to Russia in 2022, with 25,400 Germans making the journey over. In second place were Iranian tourists, and in third were Italian tourists.
On the flip side of the coin, only 842 Chinese tourists went to Russia in 2022. ATOR placed this down to the fact that the country has had some of the strictest Covid restrictions.
There were still other travelers who visited Russia in 2022, just not for tourism. Business travelers increased the overall total of international visitors to 13.1 million.
The Best Places to Visit in Russia
While there are understandable reasons for tourism dipping in Russia, it is a shame because there are some beautiful spots in the country. If you are planning a trip to Russia any time soon, or if you want to visit when the war with Ukraine ends, here are three places that you should consider going to:
- Moscow – The nation’s capital has some of the most iconic spots in the world, including Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral. Aside from the historic landmarks, Moscow has some beautiful parks and other green spaces for an afternoon of relaxation. Most international airports fly directly to Moscow, so it makes sense to visit.
- Saint Petersburg – Similar to Moscow but smaller and more intimate. Its landmark locations include Moika Palace and St. Isaac’s Cathedral; however, the best thing to do in Saint Petersburg is to cruise around its 300km of canals which flow through the city.
- Lake Baikal – If you aren’t into big cities, you must visit Lake Baikal. This high-altitude lake is the oldest and deepest lake in the world and is also one of the clearest. The views are breathtaking, making it a must-visit for nature lovers.
This article was produced and syndicated by The Impulse Traveler.
