The tour expert admitted the impact of the tourist tax on the attractiveness of the regions

The introduction of a tourist tax in Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, Izhevsk, Kursk, Samara, Tolyatti and Zhiguli may negatively affect the attractiveness of the regions, but its consequences will largely depend on how the authorities explain the objectives of the innovation. Natalia Anstal, head of the Go Travel tour operator, told Izvestia about this on December 1.

According to her, any taxation inevitably affects the sphere in which it is implemented, and the tourism industry is no exception.

"The local authorities can somehow mitigate this situation a little. They can announce where the tax that will be introduced will be directed. For example, in many cities there are no toilets in the city center, or navigation signs, or any other places related to tourism that would need to be designed for the attractiveness of a particular region.

If we explain that this tax will be introduced directly in order to make the city more attractive and more convenient for tourists, then, of course, this is the place to somehow soften the policy in relation to this," the specialist explained.

Speaking about the impact of the tourist tax on small and medium-sized businesses, Anstal noted that the 1% levy would not become a noticeable financial burden. According to her, such a rate is feasible for entrepreneurs and should not cause significant difficulties, while a higher tax, such as 10%, could create serious problems for the industry.

As for the possible reduction in the tourist flow, the tour expert added, everything will depend on the level of development of a particular region. So, if the city has attractive facilities, high-quality routes and convenient infrastructure, then tourists will continue to visit it, and a small increase in the cost of a trip is unlikely to significantly affect demand. In regions where tourism development is practically non-existent, the lack of new initiatives may in itself cause a drop in interest from travelers.

"Now we see a trend that domestic tourism is developing very strongly in Russia, so almost all regions are focused on this. The prospect of tourism development in all regions is very, very good," Anstal concluded.

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On the same day, the newspaper Vedomosti reported that the tourist tax in 2026 will appear in Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod, Izhevsk, Kursk and several cities of the Samara region: Samara, Tolyatti and Zhiguli. The tax rate in these cities will be 2% of the tax base, with the exception of Samara and Tolyatti. In Samara, the rate will be 1%, in Tolyatti — 1% during the tourist season (from April to September) and 0.5% in the remaining months.

Before that, on November 27, it became known that Kolomna, near Moscow, was planning to introduce a tourist tax from January 1, 2026. The rate will be 2% of the tax base with funds going to the local budget. The funds are planned to be used for the development of tourist infrastructure, including the improvement of streets and parks, the restoration of monuments and the creation of comfortable areas for local residents and guests of Kolomna.

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