A Chinese tourist takes pictures on the street of Moscow on May 24, 2024. Photo: Chu Daye/ GT

There could be a significant increase in the number of Chinese visitors to Moscow this year, as a result of the enhanced business cooperation following Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent state visit to China, a Moscow tourism official told the Global Times.

Russia has become an attractive destination for Chinese tourists in the past few years. Last year, the number of Chinese visiting the Russian capital saw a fivefold rise from 2022.

"A record of 244,000 Chinese tourists visited Moscow in 2023, and they came to Moscow on 55 flights per week from different Chinese cities. I think it is still not enough," Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of Moscow City Tourism Committee, told the Global Times.

"It is hard to predict the percentage increase after President Putin's visit to China, along with the intensive negotiations between top economic and trade officials from both sides," Kozlov said. "I predict a significant increase in the number of tourist visits this year."

Russia has since last year offered a series of travel facilitation measures to attract Chinese tourists including a more accommodative visa policy. Visas can now be issued within five days.

The two countries are holding a China-Russia Year of Culture, and Moscow for the first time hosted a series of events dedicated to the Chinese New Year in February.

Many Chinese tourists to Russia are also businesspeople seeking investment opportunities. 

The Global Times reported in December that an unexpectedly large number of Chinese aurora lovers flooded the Russian Arctic port city of Murmansk last winter.

Kozlov said that by the end of 2024, the number of licensed Chinese-speaking guides is expected to be upgraded to several hundreds to meet the growing demand in the market. Starting from July 1, the license for guides will become mandatory.

The Moscow City Tourism Committee has also intensified promotions by doubling the number of events in China. Roadshows have already been held in Chengdu and Chongqing in Southwest China and Harbin in Northeast China. Round tables meetings with industry representatives are also to be held in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Song Kui, president of the Contemporary China-Russia Regional Economy Research Institute, told the Global Times that tourism, along with culture, arts and sports, is an indispensable component in boosting bilateral cooperation.

Song said bilateral tourism will continue to rise to reach new heights, given the continuous strengthening of strategic relationship, Russia's unique tourism resources and stable prices.
 
Russian President Putin's popularity among the Chinese people is also a favorable factor for the Russian tourism industry to attract Chinese tourists, Song said.