Tourists from Russia have developed a fondness for Vietnam, China, and Africa this summer, according to the All-Russia Tour Operators Union (ATOR).
Jetting Off This Summer: A Staggering 6.4 Million Russians
Get ready for a travel frenzy as summer rolls around, with 6.4 million Russians planning to head abroad! Comparatively, only 5.15 million made the trip in the summer of 2024. This exciting revelation was shared by Arthur Muradyan, Vice President of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, and General Director of the tour operator Space Travel, at the Annual Tourism Award le'TO 2025. This figure encompasses both leisure and business trips.
Ready for some sun, sand, and amazing sights? The list of top summer destinations will leave you spellbound:
| Country | Expected Russian Travelers (June - August) | Growth compared to summer 2024 ||-----------|------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|| Turkey | 3.15 million | +15% || Abkhazia | 1.1 million | +7% || China | 500,000 | +25% || UAE | 450,000 | +20% || Egypt | 380,000 | +45% || Thailand | 260,000 | +17% || Vietnam | 100,000 | +140% (rolling out the welcome mat) || Maldives | 65,000 | +15% || Indonesia | 55,000 | +10% |
Turkey and Abkhazia's reign as popular destinations seems to be unshaken, but the limelight is shifting to some newcomers:
First, Vietnam - the demand for vacations there has nearly doubled, thanks to an influx of new direct flights.
Second, Egypt - the Red Sea could become one of the hottest resorts this summer due to a boom in flight programs by tour operators.
Third, China - a quarter more vacationers will be heading there, again attributed to numerous new flights.
Other rising stars on the horizon include Malaysia, Morocco, South Korea, Japan, and the Seychelles. Transit flights are turning previously overlooked destinations like Malaysia, the Philippines, and "non-Bali" Indonesia into popular choices. Africa, particularly South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania, is generating more interest than ever before.
Belarus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, and Kazakhstan are also on the upswing, with many Russians opting for holidays by the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Did You Know
"I want to go where no one has been before" - a new adventure-seeking mindset
Alexander Musikhlin, vice-president of ATOUR and general director of the "Intourist" tour operator, shares that there are now 96 flights a week between Russia and China - more than any other destination, except Turkey1. Exploring unique destinations like Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea is gaining traction, along with a growing interest in trips to Iran, thanks to the attraction of its rich history and unique culture. In general, more and more Russians are seeking out-of-the-ordinary vacation spots to expand their travel horizons.
That's not all! As travel restrictions continue to ease, we may see Russians venturing to previously uncharted territories. So, pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and let the summer travel escapades begin!
EXTRA Reads
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Want more insights? Check out the Base Article and Enrichment Data for additional information.
[2]: https://tour operator.ru/news/publish/advice/100080
- The demand for vacations in Vietnam has surged, attributed to an influx of new direct flights, suggesting a shift in the travel landscape within the Russian market.
- This summer, Egypt and China are expected to see a significant increase in Russians due to flight programs by tour operators and numerous new flights, respectively.
- Alexander Musikhlin, vice-president of ATOUR, shares that there is a growing interest among Russians in exploring unique destinations such as Japan, Vietnam, Iran, and South Korea, indicative of a new adventure-seeking mindset within the Russian tourism industry.
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