The number of tourists visiting the Far East in the first half of 2026 grew by 17% compared to the same period last year, reaching approximately 2.3 million people. This is more than four times the average growth rate for Russia as a whole, according to a study by the Federal Autonomous Institution "Vostokgosplan." The most notable dynamics were shown by the Amur Region, Yakutia, Transbaikalia, and the Magadan Region. At the same time, the inflow of foreign tourists increased by almost 80%.
According to analysts, during January–June 2026, collective accommodation facilities (CAFs) across the macroregion accommodated 335,000 more people than in the same period of the previous year (a 17% increase). Across Russia as a whole, the figure grew by 4%. The official Rosstat data are still subject to refinement, but they already reflect the overall dynamics of the tourist market in the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD).
The highest growth in tourist flow in the first half of the year was shown by the Amur Region – 95%, which in absolute numbers amounted to an increase of 145,800 people. Overall, during the first six months of this year, the region was visited by 298,700 people. In Yakutia, the number of tourists increased by 56% to 170,000 people. In the Trans-Baikal Territory and the Magadan Region, growth amounted to 54%, reaching 211,400 and 70,500 tourists respectively.
In absolute terms, Primorye retains first place. During the first six months of 2026, 573,000 people stayed in CAFs in the region, compared to 521,000 in the same period last year.
Four Far Eastern regions showed negative dynamics. The most significant decline in tourist flow was observed in Kamchatka – from 211,300 in the first half of 2025 to 160,600 people (−24%). In Chukotka, the figure decreased by 17% – from 10,770 to 8,970 tourists. Tourist flow in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast fell by 12% – from 27,800 in 2025 to 24,300 in 2026. The Khabarovsk Territory also showed a slight decline – during this period, the region was visited by 393,800 people, a year‑on‑year decrease of 2,200 (−1%).
Overall, the Far East continues to outpace the national recovery dynamics of the tourism market. By the end of 2025, tourist flow with accommodation in CAFs in the macroregion was 39% higher than the 2019 level, while the increase for Russia as a whole was 23%. Over the past three years, the leaders in growth rates have been the Magadan Region (2.3 times), the Amur Region (2.1 times), and the Kamchatka Territory (2 times).
Inbound tourism shows notable dynamics. The number of foreign guests visiting the Far East in the first half of the year increased by 77% year‑on‑year.
The top three FEFD regions by growth rate of foreign tourist flow are led by the Magadan Region – researchers recorded a 16‑fold increase to 2,400 people. In second place is the Trans‑Baikal Territory, where the number of foreign guests grew 11‑fold to 13,600. In third place is the Amur Region with a five‑fold increase to 25,000 people.
“In absolute numbers, Primorye also leads here. During the half‑year, the region was visited by 56,500 foreigners (+26%). The Amur Region is in second place, and the Trans‑Baikal Territory is in third. The Khabarovsk Territory (13,100 people) is fourth – growth here was 15%. The top five is rounded out by the Republic of Buryatia with 11,300 foreign tourists. Overall, in the Far Eastern Federal District, foreign tourist flow in the first half of 2026 grew by 77% compared to the same period last year,” the study states.
Vostokgosplan attributes the growth in inbound tourism primarily to the introduction, in December 2025, of a visa‑free regime for Chinese citizens, which has been extended until the end of 2027. The regions of the Far East are developing routes and programmes for Chinese tourists and adapting infrastructure accordingly. In particular, hotels in the macroregion are receiving China Friendly certification: the first facility to obtain this status was in the Amur Region last year, and in the summer of 2026, hotels in the Primorye and Khabarovsk Territories received it.
According to analysts’ estimates, tourism accounts for 2.2% of the gross value added of the Far East. However, this figure remains below the national average of 2.9%, which, according to experts, indicates that the industry still has growth potential in the macroregion.
Image courtesy of magnific.
This translation has been generated using AI‑based language models.