- Red tape is keeping away tourists which could help Russia withstand Western sanctions.
- Over time, more visitors would serve to improve the skewed perception of Russia abroad.
Anybody who has visited Russia or has looked photos and video’s, must be impressed with this large and beautiful country.
Having visited Russia several times, so far, I feel very disappointed and in some ways very frustrated that the Russian Government is so blind and on the 21st century still has the siege mentality of the last century and the cold war. Despite the current political situation, sanctions etc, the behaviour and attitude of the western countries towards Russia and the insistence of the Russian government to be treated equally, I think financially, it works against the Russian interests and the people of Russia.
I also think that the Russian Federation has improved its immigration services and has very modern computer systems to check anybody arriving in the country. For years, all airlines are obligated to supply passengers manifests, at least, 24 hours before arriving in the country and the same applies for most of western countries too, thus minimising the terrorist threats.
In my view it’s about time that Russia abolish the visa requirement or at least introduce visa on arrival, unilaterally for most western countries and especially the members of the European Community. The current leadership of the country, during the past 2-3 years, has shown that is capable of making some tactical moves against the western governments that caught them by surprise. In this case they could also pull another rabbit out of the hat, introducing one of the above changes with the visa requirement and leave them stunned.
Today the EU has agreed with Turkey to accelerate the roadmap for the abolition of visas for Turkish citizens wishing to travel to the EU with target the end of June 2016, as long as Turkey fulfills all the necessary conditions.

I was hoping after the last experience with the football mach between Manchester and Chelsea that took place in Moscow, when 50000 fans arrived there for 3-4 days and the Sochie winter Olympics, that they would see the benefits that tourism brings to any country, but alas nothing happened and still we are back to the cold war mentality!
It’s obvious now that the security of the nation is not threatened by anyone visiting Russia because that type of business practiced by both, Russia, USA and the Western countries has moved to electronic means and the few individual incidents prove the rule.
In my view it is wrong, a criminal extortion and backwards mentality towards Russia and the Russian people, by their Government that they still require Visas, invitation letters and also registration with OVIR, by all visitors who have paid a lot of money to be allowed to visit Russia.
Just look Ukraine and check the tourist numbers and other benefits that the abolition of Visa requirements has brought to the country, before the regime change and all other troubles that continue plaguing the country.
I think the Russian Government should reconsider its position by abolishing the Visa and other requirements, as inbound tourism to Russia will expand dramatically and will bring many benefits to the country and its people.

Chelyabinsk
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