Russia wants to surf on the 2018 World Cup to develop its tourism

Russia, which hosted the 2018 World Cup from 14 June to 15 July in eleven cities and twelve stadiums, wants to take advantage of the event to continue developing its tourism. Although Russia is already among the 10 most visited countries in the world, the tourism sector is still lagging behind despite its enormous potential.

Russia welcomed one million foreign visitors during the 2018 World Cup according to the Federal Tourism Agency. This is an increase of almost 30% compared to a normal year.

Today, Alexander Pushkin’s homeland wishes to be a tourist destination. All the more so as apart from Saint-Petersburg and Moscow, the two flagship cities, other cities have increased tourist infrastructures with hotels and airports.

Foreign supporters with a Fan ID, a document allowing them to travel to Russia without a visa for the 2018 World Cup, will not need a Russian visa until the end of the year.

With its economy too dependent on raw materials, Russia could try to diversify its activities after the 2018 World Cup. The devaluation of the rouble has made travel prices there more attractive for foreigners.

Yet since 2010, and obtaining the organization of the 2018 World Cup, Russia has been the target of Western sanctions for the annexation of the Crimean peninsula and support to the separatists of eastern Ukraine. Another point of tension between Moscow and the West is Syria, where the Russian army intervened at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.