China’s decision to introduce visa-free entry for Russian nationals has led to a sustained rise in cross-border tourism, with the number of Russian visitors expected to exceed two million by the end of 2025, according to
People’s Daily Online, a partner of TV BRICS.
The new policy has been in effect since 15 September and has already produced measurable growth in passenger traffic. Tourism industry representatives note that Russian travel to China increased by around 40 per cent in September and October. Demand for flights and accommodation has doubled, while interest in organised group tours has risen by more than 60 per cent. Travel for leisure accounts for 98.3 per cent of all visa-free entries.
Hainan remains the primary destination, receiving about 80 per cent of tourist flows outside Heilongjiang Province. Forecasts suggest that Hainan could welcome roughly 500,000 Russian tourists by year-end.
Other popular destinations include Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Henan Province, home to the Shaolin Monastery. Industry representatives emphasise that China’s steadily expanding visa-free policy is playing a key role in strengthening inbound tourism.
The acceleration of people-to-people exchanges aligns with wider BRICS efforts to support sustainable tourism and environmental protection.
Egypt, for instance, is expanding its entry facilitation measures through an enhanced electronic visa system, with national authorities upgrading airport infrastructure to streamline arrivals. This is reported by
Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS. Government officials describe tourism as a key driver of development and highlight that improving visitor flows goes hand in hand with long-term programmes aimed at safeguarding natural and cultural environments – a priority shared across BRICS partners.
In turn, Iran’s expanding medical tourism sector offers a notable example: the country welcomed 1.2 million medical tourists last year. This is reported by
Mehr News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS. These earnings – equivalent to funding more than 100 healthcare facilities – are supporting long-term investments in high-quality medical infrastructure.
Abu Dhabi’s recent performance also offers a relevant example: the emirate recorded 2.04 million hotel guests between May and August 2025, a 10 per cent increase in international visitors. Supported by cultural programming, diversified tourism offerings and strategic investments, this growth has contributed to stronger resource-efficient tourism infrastructure. According to
Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS, higher hotel occupancy rates, rising revenues and increased visitor flows reflect broader efforts across BRICS-associated economies to promote tourism models that balance expansion with environmental stewardship and sustainable urban development.
Photo: Drazen Zigic /
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