MOSCOW, October 21. /TASS/. The Russian Federal Agency for Tourism does not support the proposal to introduce tax for tourists traveling abroad, Head of the Agency Oleg Safonov said on Friday.

"The Russian Federal Agency for Tourism does not support proposal of the Russian Union of Travel Industry in Crimea and Sevastopol to introduce tax for tourists traveling abroad. The Agency believes it violates the rights and freedoms of the Russian citizens, as tourism is the one of the most important spheres of human activities," according to the press service of the Agency.

Safonov said he believes that this would only harm domestic tourism. "Artificial restrictions for departure and any protectionist measures for the development of domestic tourism is detrimental to the industry within the country, as well as inbound tourism," Safonov said.