The Avanti association of entrepreneurs for the development of business patriotism proposed introducing a tax on Russian citizens and foreign nationals who cross the border to leave the country.
The tax is supposed to stimulate domestic tourism. The initiative authors suggest that the collected money be spent on developing tourism in Russia. Moreover, the tax may stop many tourists who decided to spend time in another country because it will cost more. The amount of the tax suggested is RUR 500 ($7.5). Foreign nationals are also to be charged the tax unless they spend less than 24 hours in Russia.
As is stated in the message from the industry association sent to Federation Council (upper house of the parliament) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma (lower house of the parliament) Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Head of the Federal Agency for Tourism Oleg Safonov, the development of domestic tourism is gaining more importance in light of a complicated international situation.
“The proposed initiative may bring around RUR 35 bio ($525 mio) per year, which will ensure successful implementation of the Development of Domestic and Inbound Tourism in Russia in 2019-2015 federal targeted program, and will lay grounds for innovations in the Russian travel industry,” authors of the initiative note.