Demand for travel to China surged by 50% in September following the introduction of a pilot visa-free regime for Russian citizens, according to travel booking service Aviasales.
China now accounts for 3.5% of all international flight bookings from Russia — a 26% increase compared to August, and a 59% rise year-on-year. The country has moved into the top ten most popular overseas destinations among Russian travellers.
Hotel bookings in China also saw significant growth, jumping by 75% compared to the previous month, and doubling compared to September 2024.
While airfare prices have risen amid the growing demand, the cost of accommodation in China has dropped, making the destination more attractive overall.
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