The door for visa-free travel between Russia and Finland was opened on Sunday as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Finnish President Tarja Halonen officially opened a high speed rail service between St. Petersburg and Helsinki. The two leaders seemed positive about at least limited free-visa travel between the two countries. A positive outcome for rail between the two could well speed EU and Russian Federation talks to open up travel to Russia.
Russian Federation
Welcome to Russia Really Does Welcome Tourists
Argophilia Travel News continues coverage of the Russian Federation’s initiatives to expand their travel and tourism industry. An interview with a top travel business executive reveals much about Russia’s road to parity in travel, as well as the nature of Russia’s industry. Expanded travel choices within Russia appear to be right around the corner.
Inchon – Asia Games and Russia Ties Progress
In news from Inchon, South Korea, the Asia Games of 2014 mascots are announced. Also, a relic of the Russo-Japanese War ends up being the tie that may bind Russia and the Korean peninsula.
Russian Federation Tourism Initiative Moves Forward
The Russian Federation’s travel and tourism initiative goes forward with a Moscow convention directed at the problems of medical tourism in Russia. The Russian Tourist Industry Union reaches out to the industry to help solve Russia’s principle issues where the disabled are concerned. Just as Prime Minister Putin embraces his gifted Bulgarian sheepdog, Russia seems to want to embrace the world now.
EU and Russia: Free Visa Talks at Standstill
Travel and tourism for Russia is up this year despite slow progress on the free visa issue. The EU’s apparent stalling of Russia on free travel is holding up what could be a boom for the industry worldwide. Business between the EU and the Russian Federation could take many countries out of the recession with expanded cooperation, so just why the EU is holding back makes little sense to many.
To Russia With Love
Russia’s government now intent on breaking down barriers for the travel and tourism industry there. What has been one of the most difficult countries in the world to visit, should the plan succeed, will become one of the world’s most visited. Russia holds some of the world’s greatest tourism treasures, and now more people will be able to share them.