In the chaos of the market transition of the 1990s freedom of travel also provided a vital safety line and a means of survival to many Russians who became so-called “shuttle traders” or shop tourists. Thousands of people went abroad, mainly to China and Turkey, in search of goods that could be bought cheaply and then resold at a higher price back home. In a matter of a few years these small traders accomplished what the Soviet regime had not be able to achieve in decades: they saturated the domestic market with cheap consumer goods. 

Russia’s own tourist industry has enormous potential. Seaside resorts, such as Sochi and Anapa on the Black Sea coast, are excellent for swimming, sun bathing, and water sports. Central Russian regions possess many natural beauty spots including pristine pine and birch forests, rivers and lakes. Russian cities offer many splendid architectural sites, such as the Kremlin in Moscow, and world-class museums, such the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. The popular Golden Ring tour takes tourists on a trip through ancient Russian cities, such as Vladimir, Suzdal, Sergiev Posad, Uglich, Yaroslavl, and Kostroma.

Also popular are river cruises down the Volga from Moscow to Astrakhan in the south. Along the way, tourists admire the river views and visit cities rich in history and architecture, including Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Saratov, and Volgograd. It is also possible to cross Russia from east to west by the Trans-Siberian railroad, stretching for thousands of miles all the way to the Pacific, and explore the vast territories to the east of the Ural Mountains. 

The Russian tourist industry is well placed to tap the benefits from Russia’s rich historical heritage and extremely varied geographical locations. However, it needs significant investments to upgrade and develop the necessary infrastructure, including modern hotels and other tourist facilities.