By bne Gulf bureau
Several Gulf states are preparing to allow Russian citizens to enter without visas, Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov announced on June 12, as part of efforts to boost tourism ties, Moscow-based Kommersant newspaper reported.
Speaking at the 'Travel!' tourism forum in Moscow, Reshetnikov said that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman are in the final stages of agreeing to visa-free travel for Russian nationals.
He also mentioned ongoing negotiations with Malaysia and Myanmar in Southeast Asia.
Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have sought to jump on the growing outbound Russian tourist market, which has become persona non grata in previously popular destinations in Europe and the Americas due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The minister noted that since Russia launched an e-visa system in August, along with existing visa-waiver agreements, the country has welcomed 400,000 foreign tourists.
'Of course, we will further simplify the visa process and consider reducing the cost,” he said.
“In parallel, we have launched a mechanism for group entry with China and Iran,' Reshetnikov added.
“We are now working closely with our colleagues from India, also proposing and discussing with them the conclusion of an intergovernmental agreement on this topic,' the official noted.
The Russian government aims to increase tourism's share of the country's GDP to 5% by 2030, up from 2.8% in 2023.
Reshetnikov also said that Russia is looking for partners in Saudi Arabia to help launch a payment card for foreign tourists visiting the country.
The project, called 'Tourist Card,' would allow visitors to apply for the card in their home country, transfer funds and use it for purchases while in Russia, with any remaining balance transferred back to their account upon departure.
Reshetnikov said there was a need to solve payment issues for foreign tourists and called on Saudi financial institutions to assist in implementing the project.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has seen a surge in Russian visitors to its popular Red Sea destinations such as Jeddah and Yanbu in recent months since the country started advertising non-religious tourism.
Earlier, bne IntelliNews investigations discovered significant tours of Russian groups in the city Al Ula, known for its stunning rock formations and historical significance.
Earlier this year, the Saudi Tourism Authority partnered with Yandex Travel, a prominent Russian online travel agency and aggregator, to capture the outbound Russian tourist market, the company announced on March 6.
This collaboration aims to position Saudi Arabia as a prime destination for leisure travel and target Russian tourists who would typically visit countries like Turkey and Cyprus. Saudi Arabia is attempting to shake off its hostile image with billions of dollars in investment in multiple types of tourism infrastructure.
Yandex Travel, a globally recognised Yandex brand component, has seen rapid expansion since the withdrawal of Western competitors like Booking.com, Skyscanner and TripAdvisor, and is currently estimated to be worth nearly $8bn. The company's digital-first ventures extend across over 30 countries.
Iran has attempted to push its historical sites with Russian tourists but has struggled with stringent Islamic covering and dry country status. A similar problem is facing Russians in Saudi Arabia, but not Bahrain, which permits alcohol in certain locations.
However, despite the obstacles, so far in 2024, interest in visiting Iran has surged with Russians, with bookings for January-February up by 30% from the previous year.
