Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov told Tourism FM that the work is at the final stage, Chinese tourists are traveling and are interested in Russia, and that they plan to launch it before the end of the year with the necessary conditions for visa free travel.
Deputy Minister Vakhrukov noted that Russia has not yet received a list of authorized tour operators from the Chinese side, but stressed that China's competent bodies are preparing this list through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it is only this stage that prevents the process from starting.
On February 6, China experimentally resumed visa-free travel for organized tourist groups, including to Russia, while on February 20, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development announced the renewal of the agreement on visa free tourist trips between Russia and China.
According to the agreement, in order for Chinese tourists to come to Russia without a visa, the Ministry of Economic Development must receive an updated list of Chinese travel and tourism companies planning to send groups under the agreement and submit it to the Federal Security Service, which is responsible for passport control at airports.
