Russia sees significant increase in tourist visa applications from EU citizens
Date
10/23/2023 3:05:24 AM
(MENAFN) The head of the consular department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexei Klimov, recently revealed that Russia has experienced a significant increase in tourist visa applications from European Union citizens in the current year. This notable rise has occurred against the backdrop of sanctions and strained diplomatic relations between Moscow and Brussels, primarily stemming from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite the conventional expectations of political tensions deterring travel, Klimov's statement underscores a sustained interest among EU citizens in visiting Russia.
Klimov's report indicates that Moscow has granted approximately 57 percent more tourist visas to European applicants during the first nine months of this year compared to the same period in 2022. In numerical terms, from January 1 to September 30, 2023, Russian foreign missions issued a total of 225,000 visas of all categories within European countries, including a substantial count of 141,000 tourist visas. This data emphasizes a growing inclination among EU citizens to explore Russia, highlighting the resilience of tourist interest despite geopolitical challenges.
A notable aspect of this surge in visa applications is the increased demand originating from the Baltic states. The statistics reveal a particularly striking trend, with the number of visas issued to Lithuanian citizens increasing by an impressive 75 percent. Even more remarkable, the number of visas issued to Estonians more than tripled in the months of August and September when compared to the previous two months. This heightened interest from the Baltic states underlines the diversity of factors at play, maintaining a strong appeal for travel to Russia, even in the face of ongoing political tensions and international disputes.
However, Klimov also pointed out that while the number of tourist visas has grown significantly, the total count of Russian visas issued to Europeans, encompassing diplomatic, work, student, and other visa categories, has decreased by 10 percent in the period from January to September. Furthermore, these current figures remain considerably below those recorded before the Ukraine conflict. For instance, in the first nine months of 2019, Russia issued a substantial 1.6 million visas to EU citizens, including approximately 1.1 million tourist visas. The contrasting data serves to highlight the lingering impact of geopolitical factors on travel and tourism between Russia and the EU.
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