Russian banks have developed new technological solutions that will make it easier for incoming tourists – including those from Arab countries – to pay for services in Russia. The announcement was made by Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov in an interview with TASS, noting that convenient and secure payments are now a key factor in the development of inbound tourism.

Maxim Reshetnikov mentioned this during his speech at the Let’s Travel! International Tourism Forum on 11 June, where he stressed the importance of rehabilitating and modernizing the payment infrastructure given that travellers “tend not to use cash anymore” and expect to be able to use familiar digital services.

At the Forum, Maxim Reshetnikov announced that Russian and foreign banks were working on several new projects that would soon be launched. These include the Tourist Card – the first payment using the card was successfully made in Malaysia – as well as the development of QR code payment mechanisms, which will greatly simplify payments for guests from different countries.

According to the Minister of Economic Development, these initiatives will mark an important step towards creating a comfortable environment for international travellers. The Let’s Travel! International Tourism Forum organized by the Roscongress Foundation remains a key platform for discussing and promoting solutions to make domestic, inbound, and outbound travel more accessible.