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Russia and Myanmar are preparing to sign a landmark visa-free travel agreement this September, a move that promises to significantly enhance tourism flows and bilateral connectivity. The announcement was made following a meeting between Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Myanmar’s Minister of Hotels and Tourism Kyaw Soe Win at the International Travel Forum in Moscow.&nbsp;The visa-free deal is expected to be finalized during the upcoming Eastern Economic Forum, with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin having already issued supporting directives. Reshetnikov noted that the agreement represents a key milestone in simplifying travel and expanding tourism cooperation between the two nations.&nbsp;<blockquote>“Signing an intergovernmental agreement on visa-free travel will be an important step in further developing tourism,” Reshetnikov said.</blockquote>&nbsp;<h1>A Growing Southeast Asia–Russia Tourism Corridor</h1>&nbsp;The agreement comes amid rising demand for Southeast Asian destinations among Russian travelers. In 2024, 2.5 million Russians visited Southeast Asia, while Myanmar reported a 60% increase in tourist arrivals in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year.&nbsp;Myanmar’s consistent engagement in the Russian market — through trade shows, forums, and government-led promotion — has played a critical role in this growth. These efforts have not only boosted visibility but also driven qualified leads from Russia's high-spending outbound segment.&nbsp;Additionally, the number of e-visas issued to Myanmar citizens doubled in the first four months of 2025, even before the visa-free policy is in place. Direct air connectivity is also being restored, with Myanmar’s national airline launching biweekly flights between Yangon and Novosibirsk starting this October.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>What This Means for MITT Exhibitors?&nbsp;</h1>&nbsp;The upcoming visa-free regime is more than a diplomatic milestone — it’s a strategic opportunity for tourism businesses, destinations, and DMCs targeting the Russian market. For <a href="https://expomitt.com/exhibit/why-exhibit/">MITT exhibitors</a>, this development underscores the power of presence.&nbsp;Myanmar’s visibility and inbound growth have been directly linked to active participation in exhibitions like MITT, where buyers and decision-makers from over 80 Russian regions gather in one place. By exhibiting at MITT, destinations gain exposure to high-intent trade visitors, media platforms, and tourism professionals actively seeking new travel partnerships.&nbsp;As Russia strengthens ties across Asia, MITT becomes a critical launchpad for tapping into this momentum — offering a direct route to market expansion, government-to-government engagement, and measurable lead generation. Source: Interfax &amp; Russia’s Pivot to Asia <a href="https://expomitt.com/">MITT 2026</a> takes place 11–13 March at Crocus Expo, Moscow.

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Russia and Myanmar Move Toward Visa-Free Travel to Boost Bilateral Tourism

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