China, Qatar, Maldives: what has changed for Russian tourists

Good news for travel lovers: China has resumed issuing tourist visas, Qatar has abolished compulsory medical insurance, and the Maldives has the opportunity to pay for accommodation and hotel services with Russian cards.

China reopened to tourists

Since March 15, China has resumed issuing tourist visas and accepting foreign tourists, including those from Russia. Already now, those who received a visa before March 28, 2020, and it is still valid, can go to China. Also, visa-free entry of tourists to Hainan Island, Guangdong Province – for visitors from Hong Kong, Macau – for groups of foreigners, Guilin City – for tourist groups from ASEAN countries and Shanghai – for passengers of cruise ships.

Almost all covid restrictions in the country have been lifted. You will not need a vaccination certificate to enter, but within 48 hours before arrival, you need to pass a PCR test for coronavirus, and, of course, it must be negative.

From the unpleasant – tours to China can rise in price by 40-50% due to a sharp increase in airfare, said the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

Medical insurance for tourists in Qatar has become optional

Tourists traveling to Qatar for less than 30 days are no longer required to take out medical insurance. This requirement has become a recommendation, ATOR reported.

The need to take out medical insurance remains with those who are going to stay in the country for more than a month, as well as those who come to the country for work or with a Hayya fan card. You can issue a policy in one of the accredited Qatari insurance companies. In addition, medical insurance is included in the package of tours offered by Russian tour operators.

Meanwhile, experts in the tourism industry advise taking out medical insurance for those who are going to go to Qatar on their own. After all, the cost of a policy for 30 days costs only about 1,000 rubles, and if a tourist needs medical assistance, he will have to pay many times more, since medicine in the country is very expensive.

In the Maldives you can pay with Russian cards

Russian tourists now have the opportunity to cashless pay for hotel services in the Maldives using QR codes. Moreover, payment is also accepted from Russian cards, including Mir, Visa and Mastercard payment systems.

As ATOR reports with reference to the information of tour operators, you can pay with a bank card issued in the Russian Federation for both accommodation and additional services at the hotel, for example, meals, excursions, SPA procedures, and the like. Such a service is not actively advertised, but has been successfully implemented in many hotels.

The payment method is simple: the tourist scans the QR code at the reception desk, enters his/her details (name and surname, hotel number and top-up amount in USD and card details), and then makes the payment. The money is credited to the hotel account within 40 minutes.

This method of payment is also convenient because the conversion rate in the system is favorable, and there are no additional fees.

True, outside the hotel, tourists will still need either cash or bank cards issued in other countries. Moreover, the first is preferable, since there will definitely not be any problems with cash.

Alyona Bodrienko.

Photo fanjianhua / Freepik