Simplification of the visa regime for foreign fans will increase the tourist flow to Russia

Simplification of the visa regime for the period of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup may lead to an increase in the tourist flow to Russia.

“We got very good news that a visa-free regime was introduced for foreign fans for the period of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Foreign tourists will be able to enter Russia 72 hours before the first match on the basis of the electronic Fan-ID card and stay in the country until the end of competitions. This will greatly simplify the availability of these events for foreign guests”, – said Dmitry Gorin, the Head of ATOR Transport Committee.

The Head of the Committee stressed the fact that travel companies, hotel facilities and the Ministry of Transport are actively preparing for the beginning of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. The Ministry of Transport has taken measures to improve transport accessibility: the number of flights will be increased and additional flights will be organized for football teams, their fans and journalists.

“The level of interest in such events is increased, and since visa formalities are canceled, transport logistics and hotel facilities allow to organize trips between cities, we can expect a large number of guests to come”, – said Gorin.

According to the experts, such events as the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup are of a great importance to the development of both inbound and domestic tourism. Therefore, the simplification of the visa regime and the abolition of visas for foreign fans will certainly lead to an increase in the tourist flow in Russia.