TEHRAN - Iranian nationals visiting Moscow show a strong preference for cultural sites while also engaging in shopping at the Russian capital’s markets, according to the deputy chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.

In an interview with IRNA on Monday, Bulat Nurmukhanov highlighted a visa-free group travel agreement between Iran and the Russian Federation, which was implemented on August 1, 2023.

He noted that this agreement has already bolstered bilateral tourism exchanges in its first year and sparked increased interest in reciprocal travel. In addition, Iranian tourists now have access to electronic visas.

Nurmukhanov pointed out that the long-term impact of this agreement will become more evident over time. “We expect the average duration of stay for Iranian tourists in Moscow to increase, along with a rise in business travel to the city,” he added.

Too early for statistics

When asked about comparative statistics before and after the implementation of the visa-free group travel agreement, Nurmukhanov responded that while the agreement was finalized years ago, it was only fully implemented in 2023.

“It is still too early to discuss 2024 statistics,” Nurmukhanov said, “as Moscow is currently in the midst of the summer tourism season, which annually attracts a significant number of visitors.”

He emphasized that Moscow’s tourism industry is steadily developing, surpassing pre-COVID-19 records in some areas, and expressed optimism for continued growth, including an increase in the number of Iranian tourists visiting the city.

Foreign arrivals in Moscow on the rise

Nurmukhanov also revealed that in the first quarter of 2024, approximately 500,000 visitors from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) visited Moscow, a figure nearly 40% higher than the same period in 2023.

He noted that the influx of tourists from the Middle East to Moscow has improved by more than 50% since the COVID-19 pandemic. Moscow is expecting an increase in tourists from Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, this year.

Tourism among BRICS member states

As Russia holds the rotating presidency of BRICS in 2024, Nurmukhanov underlined the signing of the BRICS tourism cooperation roadmap in June 2024 in Moscow. He explained that this document, signed by tourism ministers and officials from BRICS member countries, opens new avenues for mutual tourism development.

The purpose of this roadmap is to enhance cooperation, share experiences, and develop joint projects and activities, Nurmukhanov stated.

He further noted the significant potential for developing mutual tourism among BRICS countries, citing their rich cultural and natural heritage, diverse cuisines, and unique traditions.

The development of tourism between these countries will not only increase the number of tourists and create new jobs but also positively impact ongoing dialogues at all levels of business and cultural exchange, Nurmukhanov concluded.

AM