Russia sets ambitious target of 200,000 Saudi tourists by 2026 as visa-free travel begins

Moscow is betting big on Saudi Arabian travelers. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development announced that it expects 200,000 tourists from the kingdom by the end of 2026, just as a new visa-free agreement between the two countries takes effect on May 11.

Nikita Kondratiev, director of the ministry’s department for multilateral economic cooperation, said the visa waiver should boost arrivals by 30 to 50 percent. “Based on our experience with other visa-free regimes, we believe we can cross the threshold of 200,000 Saudi tourists by the end of 2026,” Kondratiev said in a statement.

The numbers are already trending upward. In 2024, Russia welcomed 108,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia. That figure jumped more than 33 percent last year, surpassing 140,000 trips. Kondratiev noted that Russia is keen to keep that momentum going, pointing to the steady growth in interest from Saudi travelers.

Russia’s broader push to ease travel restrictions extends beyond the Middle East. The ministry reminded that Russian citizens can already visit 86 countries without a visa, and 38 others offer simplified entry through e-visas or visas on arrival. Officials are also working on visa-free deals with Malaysia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, which could open up those destinations to Russians in the near future.

For now, the focus is on Saudi Arabia. With the visa requirement gone, Moscow expects the desert kingdom’s tourists to discover Russia’s cities, cultural sites, and winter landscapes — and to keep coming back.