MOSCOW, July 02. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian and foreign tourists travelling across the country are expected to increase by the end of this year, says acting head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism) Oleg Safonov.

“We hope that the flow of inbound tourists will grow this year. And we hope that the number of foreign guests visiting Russia will also go up,” he told an ITAR-TASS news conference on Wednesday, noting growing interest in resorts of Crimea and southern Russia’s Krasnodar region that hosted this year’s Winter Olympic Games.

“Other regions should also act more actively,” he said. “They should tell potential visitors more about their potential and promote their tourist products.”

“The international situation has already affected Russia’s outbound tourism,” Safonov said. “The number of Russians travelling abroad has decreased by 4%.”

“It is very important that our tourists travel more often inside the country, which is unique in terms of its opportunities,” he added. “For our part, we will do our best to create most comfortable conditions for Russians' rest and leisure in their own country.