Russia woos Asian tourists in attempt to counter European visits collapse

Russia is actively seeking to attract tourists from Asian markets to offset a significant decline in visitors from Europe. This strategic shift follows a sharp drop in European arrivals, which plummeted from 5 million in 2019 to 160,000 in 2025.

The decline in Western tourism is attributed to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which resulted in international sanctions, the cancellation of direct flights, and various travel restrictions. In response to these severed ties, Moscow is pivoting its tourism policy toward Asian nations to compensate for the loss of the Western leisure market.