Photo:
RIA Novosti
The number of foreign tourists in Russia increased in 2016 by 7%, with the largest growth in tourist arrivals showed Iran was 72%, said the Minister of culture Vladimir Medinsky in Moscow at the opening of the international tourism fair “Intourmarket-2017”.
“Inbound tourism from abroad has increased in 2016 by 7%. The absolute leader in the growth of the flow to Russia was Iran by 72% compared to last year. Among the group of leading countries — China, Korea and India, the growth of the order of 20% compared to the previous year,” said Medina.
According to him, the increased number of tourists from the traditional “tourist” countries: Spanish tourists arrived by 12% more than in 2015, an increase of 5% gave Italy and France.
“This suggests that in spite of what the propaganda campaign against Russia, which recently deployed to the Western media, the Europeans, the people of all countries want to come to Russia, I want to personally see the amazing beauty, history and culture of our country”, — said Medina.
He said that the flow of Russian tourists abroad has also increased: Cyprus — 40% in China and 20% in Greece and Spain by 15%.
As told Medina, the level of domestic tourism in 2016 increased by 10%. “In addition to Saint Petersburg and Moscow to the regions-leaders in terms of growth of tourist flow are Tatarstan, Altai Krai, Krasnodar Krai”, — the Minister added.