Trends and prospects for the development of domestic and inboard tourism in the Russian Federation

Currently, it is crucial for Russia to develop domestic and inbound tourism as economic sectors that generate revenue from foreign tourists or replace outbound tourism, redistributing revenues from this sector into the national economy. Tourism development helps strengthen regional economies, create new jobs, develop infrastructure, and improve living standards. The tourism industry is also important for preserving history, culture, traditions, and the environment. Russia's natural and cultural landscape offers a wide variety of recreational options, including beach holidays, mountain getaways (including skiing), and historical and architectural monuments. However, the tourism industry faces serious challenges, including foreign policy instability, a shortage of experienced personnel, inflation that negatively impacts pricing, and high lending rates that hinder infrastructure development. Under these conditions, government support is the primary driver of development. The purpose of this study was to examine the trends and prospects for the development of domestic and inbound tourism in the Russian Federation. The current state and challenges of the industry over the past several years were examined. It was concluded that domestic tourism has been actively developing in recent years; however, in the first half of 2025, the number of inbound tourist trips by foreign citizens to Russia decreased, and starting in 2024, the growth rate of tourist trips to the Russian Federation began to slow. Further development of tourism in Russia requires expanding the range of tourist offers, developing the digitalization of the hotel industry, and intensifying international cooperation.