Yekaterinburg Authorities Collected 144 Million Rubles in Tourism Tax in 2025, Exceeding Initial Target of 98 Million Rubles

Yekaterinburg's new tourism tax exceeds revenue goals in 2025

The city administration of Yekaterinburg collected 144 million rubles in tourism tax revenue in 2025, surpassing its original goal of 98 million rubles, Yekaterina Forukshina, director of the city's Department of Public Relations, announced during a meeting of the Yekaterinburg City Duma's Local Self-Government Commission.

The funds were allocated among four departments: Culture, Public Relations, Information Policy, and Consumer Market. The money was used to support flagship festivals such as Night of Music, Movement, and Red Line, as well as to organize professional skills competitions, fairs, and exhibitions promoting Yekaterinburg's brand in other cities. Additionally, the administration commissioned special projects about the city in local media outlets and magazines, Forukshina told lawmakers.

The tourism tax in the Ural capital was introduced on January 1, 2025. Guests staying in city hotels are charged 1% of their room rate, with a minimum daily fee of 100 rubles. However, it is the accommodation providers—not the guests—who remit the tax to the budget. The tax rate will increase annually until it reaches 5%.