Israel: flight program from Russia and its development plans

Russia remains among the top five countries among key suppliers of tourists to Israel (ranking fourth). However, tourist flow from Russia to Israel from January to August 2025 decreased by 11,8%, due to well-known geopolitical factors.

From January to August 2025, 42,600 tourists from Russia (excluding Israeli citizens) visited Israel, compared to 4,300 in August.

Despite the decline in tourist flow from Russia to Israel, airlines have increased flight frequency to 32 flights per week and are planning to open a new route from Krasnodar, although details regarding this potential flight program are not yet available.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, flights to Israel's largest airport, Ben Gurion International Airport, currently operate from four Russian cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, and Mineralnye Vody). There are 32 direct flights per week operated by three airlines (El Al, Red Wings and Azimuth Airlines).

International Tourism Exhibition and Forum "Inturmarket. Baikal" 2025
From September 25 to 27, the Intourmarket International Tourism Exhibition and Forum was successfully held in Irkutsk at the Sibexpocenter Exhibition Center.

In his welcoming speech, the head of the State Duma Tourism Committee Mr. Tarbayev, noted that Intourmarket is a recognized platform with a worldwide reputation and makes a significant…
https://russtd.com/international-tourism-exhibition-and-forum-inturmarket.-baikal-2025.html

The number of tourists from abroad visiting Moscow has increased by 10% in the first half of 2025.
Most of the visitors came from China, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Cuba. This increase in international tourism has a significant impact on the economy of the city.

During the first six months of this year, there were 500,000 more tourists from overseas than in the same period last year. China…
https://russtd.com/the-number-of-tourists-from-abroad-visiting-moscow-has-increased-by-10-in-the-first-half-of-2025.html

What's really going on around the owner of Russian tour operators Anex and Intourist
On October 7, media reports the arrest of Anex Turizm Group owner Neshet Koçkar. His companies control the tour operators Anex and Intourist. However, the situation became clear soon.

Anex Turizm Group lawyers officially stated in the press that Neshet Koçkar had not been arrested and that the company and brand had no connection to the…
https://russtd.com/whats-really-going-on-around-the-owner-of-russian-tour-operators-anex-and-intourist.html

Biometrics are now required to obtain a visa to Cyprus
Starting October 6, 2025, Russian citizens will be required to provide biometric data to obtain a Cyprus visa.

This new requirement, announced by the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Moscow, requires the applicant to be present in person when submitting documents. Children under 12 are exempt from submitting fingerprints. Therefore,…
https://russtd.com/biometrics-are-now-required-to-obtain-a-visa-to-cyprus.html

Arab tourists conquer Russian slopes
After visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg, tourists from the Persian Gulf countries are increasingly visiting the mountain resorts of Sochi.

Tour operators note that tourists from the UAE and Bahrain are the most frequent visitors to Sochi, with an increasing number of tourists from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. These are typically those…
https://russtd.com/arab-tourists-conquer-russian-slopes.html

Sri Lanka and India update entry rules
Starting October 15, 2025, visas on arrival in Sri Lanka will no longer be available: entry will be possible only with a pre-approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This must be obtained through the official Online Visa Application portal. Authorities believe this change will reduce queues at airports during peak season by reducing congestion…
https://russtd.com/sri-lanka-and-india-update-entry-rules.html

A Russian hotel chain brand is entering the Cuban market for the first time
Cosmos Hotel Group, Russia's leading national hotel operator, and Gaviota S.A., one of Cuba's largest tour operators, have signed a management agreement for the 5-star Sierra Cristal Hotel, located in the Cuban resort of Holguin.

The five-star Sierra Cristal by Cosmos Hotels hotel complex was built last year. It is designed for 640 rooms…
https://russtd.com/a-russian-hotel-chain-brand-is-entering-the-cuban-market-for-the-first-time.html

The most popular destinations for Russians during the New Year holidays
According to aggregated data from leading tour operators, the UAE, Thailand, Egypt, Vietnam and Sri Lanka are among the TOP-5 most booked foreign destinations for the New Year holidays.

These countries account for a significant share of total sales: according to various estimates, the UAE currently accounts for 21% to 29%, Thailand for…
https://russtd.com/the-most-popular-destinations-for-russians-during-the-new-year-holidays.html

EU entry rules have changed for Russians: what has replaced the passport stamp
On October 12, the Entry/Exit System (EES) officially launched in the European Union. It is designed to register the actual entry and exit of all tourists and short-term visitors who do not hold citizenship of EU countries within the Schengen Area. Upon first crossing the border, travelers will be required not only to present a passport and visa…
https://russtd.com/eu-entry-rules-have-changed-for-russians-what-has-replaced-the-passport-stamp.html

A ski resort will open in Russia above the Arctic Circle
In 2028, in the heart of the Russian Arctic, above the Arctic Circle, a landmark event for the entire tourism world will take place: the opening of the first polar ski resort Ray-Iz.
This ambitious project is being implemented by the Government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YaNAO) with the support of Gazprombank and leading management…
https://russtd.com/a-ski-resort-will-open-in-russia-above-the-arctic-circle.html

Kazakhstan participated in the WTM London 2025
According to Kazinform, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the exhibition, held from November 4 to 6, was attended by over 38,000 tourism professionals from around the world and 3,900 exhibitors.

Kazakhstan was represented by a delegation from Almaty. The country's stand attracted international buyers,…
https://russtd.com/kazakhstan-participated-in-the-wtm-london-2025.html

How many Russian tourists fly abroad and which airlines
According to Rosaviatsia data presented in September and October 2025, Russia currently has direct air service to 41 countries. International passenger flights from Russia are operated by 21 Russian airlines and 65 foreign ones.

Seven destinations (India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cuba, the Maldives, the Seychelles, and Indonesia) are served…
https://russtd.com/how-many-russian-tourists-fly-abroad-and-which-airlines.html

Schengen visas for Russian citizens after the European Commission's decision
On November 7, the European Commission (EC) published a decision regarding the visa issuance procedure for Russian citizens. The document, titled «On the establishment of adapted rules for issuing multiple-entry visas to citizens of the Russian Federation residing in Russia and applying for short-term visas at the consulates of EU countries in the…
https://russtd.com/schengen-visas-for-russian-citizens-after-the-european-commissions-decision.html

Finnish region loses €1 million per day without Russian tourists
In the autumn of 2023, the Finnish government closed its border with Russia due to an influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa. Helsinki blames Moscow for this. Russia denied the accusations and stated that it «has no capacity to prevent third-country nationals from reaching the Finnish border».

According to Bloomberg, as a result,…
https://russtd.com/finnish-region-loses-€1-million-per-day-without-russian-tourists.html

Russian hotel business after the departure of foreign owners
The Russian hotel market has undergone systemic changes in recent years, with both the balance of power in terms of management and the approach to replenishing hotel rooms among the largest players shifting.

Chain management companies have held and continue to hold a dominant position in the market (approximately 70%). The remainder, accordingly,…
https://russtd.com/russian-hotel-business-after-the-departure-of-foreign-owners.html

Russia's gambling zones have already welcomed 1.7 million guests in 2025
Russia currently has four gambling zones: «Sibirskaya Moneta» in the Altai Krai, «Primorye» in the Primorsky Krai, «Yantarnaya» 50 km from Kaliningrad and «Krasnaya Polyana» in Sochi. From January to November 2025, they welcomed over 1.7 million guests. During the same period in 2024, they welcomed approximately 1.67 million guests. The year-on-year…
https://russtd.com/russias-gambling-zones-have-already-welcomed-1.7-million-guests-in-2025.html

A mysterious country opens up to Russians
North Korea, considered the most closed country in the world, opened to Russians in 2024. A year later, in the third quarter of 2025, Russian tourist traffic there reached a historic high – 3,460 tourists visited the republic.

In their reviews after personally meeting North Korea, Russians described it not as a country of «a thousand prohibitions»,…
https://russtd.com/a-mysterious-country-opens-up-to-russians.html

Russia has waved visas for Chinese citizens
Starting September 15, 2025, China introduced a trial visa-free regime for Russian citizens.

In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting visa-free entry to Russia for Chinese citizens. They will now be able to enter the country visa-free for 30 days until September 14, 2026. The document will come into force on…
https://russtd.com/russia-has-waved-visas-for-chinese-citizens.html

Thailand will set a historic record for Russian tourist flow by the end of 2025
The Moscow office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) released the latest tourist arrival statistics. According to these data, the growth in demand for Thailand, which began last month, continues.

In the first 11 months of 2025, Thailand welcomed 1,632,624 Russian citizens, an increase of 9.18% compared to the same period last year…
https://russtd.com/thailand-will-set-a-historic-record-for-russian-tourist-flow-by-the-end-of-2025.html

Kolkheti National Park is the winner of the World Travel Awards
Georgia's Kolkheti National Park has been named «Georgia's Leading National Park 2025» by the prestigious World Travel Awards. This recognition reinforces Kolkheti Park's importance as one of the country's most important natural symbols.

The park is located in western Georgia, between the Black Sea coast and the Colchis Lowland. It covers…
https://russtd.com/kolkheti-national-park-is-the-winner-of-the-world-travel-awards.html