PRESS: Russia to launch overall e-platform for global tourists

MOSCOW, Dec 21 (PRIME) -- Russia will design a full-fledged digital platform for trips across the country for global tourists, the Federal Tourism Agency’s Director Zarina Doguzova told business daily Kommersant in an interview published on Monday.

“We have portal Russia.travel, which is undergoing a profound upgrade at the moment. It should become in essence an interactive community of travelers from a static information resource. We’re moving toward the creation of a comprehensive platform allowing users from any place in the world to organize their vacation in Russia, on their own on the single portal,” Doguzova said.

She also said that the introduction of a digital visa to come to Russia from 52 states from January 1, 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, will become the most effective way to attract foreign tourists.

The industry has been waiting for the digital visa for 15 years, Doguzova said.

“It will give a colossal impetus for the hospitality industry across the whole country. In 2019, foreigners spent in Russia U.S. $10.9 billion, more than the country got from exports of timber and non-ferrous metals and close to the volume of sales of arms to foreign markets,” the official said, adding that international tourism is seen so far to restart by July–December 2021.

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