Vladimir Putin proposes spreading visa-free group exchanges to BRICS countries

On 17 August, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at a meeting of the State Council Presidium, the participants of which discussed the development of the national tourism industry and proposed visa-free group exchanges with BRICS countries.

"To attract foreign tourists, we should simplify some visa formalities still further, including expanded visa-free group exchanges. We can do this for the entire group of countries that we call BRICS," President Putin said.

He recalled that this practice is currently being used in relations with the People's Republic of China under an agreement on visa-free trips by tourist groups. According to the President, Russian and global experience shows that more liberal visa regulations almost always help expand tourist flows.