The Olympic games and the Student Games will bring many tourists from Europe to Russia, and lifting the visa regime could encourage more tourists, it was stated in a press release by Senator Ahmed Bilalov, CEO of the Northern Caucasus Resorts, acquired by Vestnik Kavkaza
Bilalov told a round-table conference on tourism in the North Caucasus at the Russian Public Chamber today that, by the time the games start, Russia might lift the visa regime with Europe, or even G8 or G20 states.
Tourism may contribute $50 billion annually to GDP and be the second largest income sector after the oil sector. He reminded that the world tourism level is about to reach 1 billion people and will double by 2020. Russia has the 5th largest tourism potential in the world, being the 59th most frequently-visited state.
