Within minutes of Monday’s visa-free announcement, leading Chinese online-travel agency Fliggy reported an eight-fold spike in searches for flights to Russia, while rival Tongcheng saw related queries more than double. Qunar’s real-time data showed Beijing-Moscow searches up 44 percent and Hangzhou-St Petersburg up 260 percent.
Travel analysts say the surge mirrors a broader post-pandemic trend: Chinese tourists are gravitating toward destinations that remove bureaucratic hurdles. The predictable 30-day stay window allows tour operators to package longer itineraries combining Moscow, Murmansk aurora tours and Trans-Siberian rail segments—products that were previously niche due to visa lead times.
![Chinese Demand for Russia Jumps Eight-Fold on Travel Platforms After Visa-Free News]()
Airlines are expected to up-gauge aircraft and reopen seasonal routes. Aeroflot has hinted at adding a second daily Shanghai–Moscow rotation, while China Eastern is evaluating direct Ningbo–Vladivostok flights. Hotel chains from Accor to Jin Jiang are launching Russia-focused promotions on Chinese social-media channels.
Corporate mobility teams should anticipate tighter seat inventory on December-January flights and advise travelers to book early, even though visas are no longer required. Bundling tickets with accommodation can secure better inventory and hedged pricing.
Travel analysts say the surge mirrors a broader post-pandemic trend: Chinese tourists are gravitating toward destinations that remove bureaucratic hurdles. The predictable 30-day stay window allows tour operators to package longer itineraries combining Moscow, Murmansk aurora tours and Trans-Siberian rail segments—products that were previously niche due to visa lead times.
Airlines are expected to up-gauge aircraft and reopen seasonal routes. Aeroflot has hinted at adding a second daily Shanghai–Moscow rotation, while China Eastern is evaluating direct Ningbo–Vladivostok flights. Hotel chains from Accor to Jin Jiang are launching Russia-focused promotions on Chinese social-media channels.
Corporate mobility teams should anticipate tighter seat inventory on December-January flights and advise travelers to book early, even though visas are no longer required. Bundling tickets with accommodation can secure better inventory and hedged pricing.
