Russia woos Asian tourists to offset a collapse in European visits

Summary

EU tourist arrivals fell from 5 million in 2019 to 160,000 in 2025, according to the reporting. Sanctions, cancelled flights and other restrictions linked to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine cut off Western leisure travel, and Moscow has turned east to attract Asian tourists.

Timeline

1. Euronews

   19 Oct 2026, 10:48 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that Russia is courting Asian tourists after EU tourist arrivals fell from 5 million in 2019 to 160,000 in 2025, which it attributes to sanctions, cancelled flights and other restrictions tied to the war in Ukraine.