The flow of foreign tourists to Russia increased by 20% in the first half of the year, with the Murmansk Region among the most popular destinations. This was announced by Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov during  a meeting  on tourism and hospitality development chaired by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Reshetnikov noted that inbound tourism in Russia continues to grow. By the end of 2025, tourist flow had increased by 12%, and in the first half of this year, by another 20%.

"We are seeing regional expansion. People are now traveling not only to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also to other regions: Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Service quality standards are growing, and businesses are adapting to the cultural needs of tourists," Reshetnikov noted.

The Murmansk Region is confidently cementing its status as a key magnet for foreign travelers. As a reminder, in 2025, the region welcomed 54.5% more foreign visitors than the previous year, and in the 2026 winter season, it ranked among the top three in the Northwestern Federal District for foreign tourist growth (+33.8%) and first in the country for the share of foreign nationals among all those accommodated in shared accommodations (24%).

"The cold Arctic captivates foreign visitors with its warm welcome. We listen to our guests and tailor programs around their interests, taking into account everything from language to gastronomic preferences. We offer navigation and menus in English and Chinese at key sites, tourist centers, and restaurants. We regularly train our guides, hoteliers, and restaurateurs in the intricacies of communicating with foreigners, so that every guest feels at home in the north," commented Alexandra Kondaurova, Deputy Governor of the Murmansk Region.

According to big data analytics, approximately 50,000 tourists from China visited the Murmansk Region in 2025. This figure reflects a nationwide trend: China remains the primary source of inbound tourism. As announced at the meeting, tourists from China predominate in the structure of foreign guests accommodated, accounting for over 22%. They are followed by the Persian Gulf countries, Turkey, and India.

/ Ministry of Tourism and Entrepreneurship of the Murmansk Region /