Tourism on the Rise in Russia on Eve of Soccer World Cup

Russia is experiencing a sports tourism boom with soccer fans pouring in to support their teams who are competing in the Soccer World Cup.

Flight bookings for visiting Russia for the FIFA World Cup (4th June-15th July) are currently 50.5 percent ahead of what was the situation last year.

Many Russians are also staying at home for the tournament and are not going on holiday as usual. Outbound bookings from Russia are 12.4 percent behind.

World Cup ticket holders must obtain a FAN ID, which grants them visa-free entry into Russia between 4th June and 15th July (the date of the final) and requires the holder to leave the country by 25th July, which is allowing anyone coming for the final to remain in Russia and take a holiday afterwards.

Olivier Jager, the CEO of ForwardKeys said, “Regardless of whatever happens on the pitch, from a visitor perspective, Russia is already a winner.”