The number of visitors to Russia from European countries fell by up to 24 per cent in the first quarter as tour operators blamed visa costs and red tape, an industry union said.

“The number of visitors to Russia from countries that have traditionally sent the most tourists has fallen noticeably,” the Russian Tourism Industry Union said in a statement.

The number of tourists from neighbouring Finland – recently linked to Saint Petersburg by high-speed train – fell by 24 per cent in the first quarter, year on year, the union said, citing official statistics.

The numbers of German visitors fell by 10 per cent in the same period and French and Spanish by 14 per cent.