Expansion of confirmed automobile tour offerings up to 199
Russia Expands Auto-Tourist Routes Nationwide
Maxim Reshetnikov, the Russian Minister of Economic Development, announced an expansion of auto-tourist routes across the country, as reported by TASS. Last summer, 35 routes were made available on the national tourist portal "Travel.RF", with the number currently at 82 and another 117 in development, according to Reshetnikov.
The total length of the existing tourist routes is approximately 27,000 kilometers, and all 82 routes from the national tourist portal have been verified by regions to ensure operational and accessible objects marked on the map, said Reshetnikov. The Ministry of Economic Development has prioritized the development of routes leading to major cities and key attraction points, such as from Moscow to Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Arkhangelsk, St. Petersburg, and Kazan. Routes have also been established in the Urals, Bashkortostan, and the Volga region.
Since January 1, 2025, a tourist tax has replaced the resort fee in some regions, raising concerns among experts in the market that it could negatively impact small accommodation providers, potentially pushing the industry into the shadows.
Recent events, such as temporary restrictions on Russian airports due to drone attacks and the ensuing disruption to hundreds of flights during the May holidays, have forced Russian residents to pay more attention to domestic tourism. With travel abroad becoming increasingly inaccessible, residents have been seeking out historical, cultural, and natural attractions within the country.
In 2025, the Russian Ministry of Finance expects to collect 40 billion rubles from tourists in tourist tax. Furthermore, 2.1 million people visited legal casinos in Russia in 2024.
According to reports, key regions for domestic tourism include the Golden Ring, the Caucasus, Lake Baikal, and Primorsky Krai, each offering unique historical, cultural, and natural experiences. While the impact of the tourist tax on small accommodation providers remains unclear, the Russian government's initiatives to boost domestic tourism, such as free excursions and services for families, are expected to continue, potentially supporting the development of small accommodation providers in the long run.
The expansion of auto-tourist routes by the Russian government could be a significant boost to the automotive industry, as more families opt for road trips to explore the country's historical and natural attractions. The development of these routes, including those leading to major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, also has potential implications for the transportation sector, as increased tourism may necessitate improved infrastructure for both road and public transport. Additionally, the growth in domestic tourism due to travel disruptions and the imposition of a tourist tax could impact the finance industry, as more revenue is generated from tourism-related activities, such as the tourist tax.
