MOSCOW, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourist arrivals in Russia are projected to reach 6.5 million in 2026, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said here Wednesday.

"We expect to reach a total of 6.5 million foreign tourists by the end of the year," he said at a meeting of the government commission for tourism development. "In the first two months we saw a notable increase of almost 37 percent. However, we now realize these figures will be revised starting in March due to the closure of airspace over the Middle East." 

The minister noted that Asian markets, including China, India and Southeast Asian nations, have become key targets for Russia as it seeks to attract more international visitors.

Reshetnikov said that foreign tourist flow to Russia rose by 13 percent last year to 5.8 million.

A visa-free travel agreement with Saudi Arabia will take effect in May. Meanwhile, work is underway to ease entry requirements for tourists from India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bahrain and Kuwait, he added.  ■