Traveler ready to take any path for sightseeing adventure
adventures await for the tourism industry in Russia this year, with estimates from some sources suggesting a 5-8% boost in outbound travel and a whopping 10-15% surge in domestic tourism. It's anticipated that the number of overseas trips would reach 28.4-29.2 million while domestic trips might hit 101.2-105.8 million.
"Yandex Travel" and consulting firm Neo share a similar outlook on this matter. According to the FSB border service, Russians embarked on 5.57 million foreign trips in Q1 2025, representing a 4.6% and 10.7% increase in tourism compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, 18.3 million Russian guests spent their nights in accommodation within the country, a leap of 5%.
Several industry experts have shared their opinions on what drives these trends. Oksana Bulakh, Commercial Director of tour operator "Aleán," notes that the domestic travel sector witnessed a 10% year-on-year increase in demand from January to May 2025. The volume of bookings for international travel through "Ostrovok" for the remaining six months showed an impressive 24% increase. Director of Marketing at Travelata.ru, Oleg Kozirev, observed a 17% year-on-year surge in demand for packaged overseas tours.
In contrast, the outbound market faces obstacles such as de facto bans, exorbitant costs, visa difficulties, and card blockages abroad. To overcome these hindrances, experts believe growth can primarily come through trips to Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Demand for Oman, Vietnam, and Cambodia, particularly, has increased significantly due to expanded route networks.
Cost plays a significant role in foreign travel, with the average cost of air tickets to distant countries decreasing by 3% year-on-year, while domestic travel prices rose by 5%. Accommodation abroad also decreased by an average of 4%, while domestic prices saw a 11% uptick.
Local tourist destinations like Baikal, Altai, and the North Caucasus are growing popular drivers for the domestic market. However, it's clear that budget travelers, including car tourists, account for the majority of the increased demand. Regrettably, high inflation and reduced real incomes may impact these budget tourists negatively. Other concerns include infrastructure wear and tear, rising costs, and personnel shortages.
Limited communication between neighboring regions still hampers the development of tourism, as the industry primarily relies on short-term weekend trips to nearby locations. Potential controversies, like Anapa's beach pollution following last year's oil spill, may pose further challenges. Looking ahead, the local market might encounter additional roadblocks, but experts remain optimistic about the long-term growth of the tourist flow.
For more detailed insights into Russia's tourism sector, consulting reports or studies focusing on this field are recommended. Emerging trends include a focus on sustainable tourism practices, the integration of technology in tourism services, and increased global market penetration, which could shape the landscape of Russian tourism in the coming years.
"With increased demand for international travel, the volume of bookings for overseas trips through "Ostrovok" has shown an impressive 24% increase, suggestive of a growing interest in fulfilling lifestyle aspirations through travel."
"Domestic travel, however, is primarily driven by budget travelers, including car tourists, due to a surge in demand and a lower cost of travel compared to foreign vacations, presenting an opportunity for the domestic tourism industry to focus on sustainable and affordable lifestyle options."
