Russian tourism to Europe is experiencing a resurgence, highlighted by increased hotel bookings in Spain, France, and Italy, and a boost in outbound travel by 25% in 2024. The stabilization of visa processes and rising disposable incomes are driving this trend, despite increased costs and travel times.
Russian tourists are booking more trips to Europe, particularly to Spain, France, and Italy, with a significant rise in hotel reservations, according to top online travel agencies. Outbound tourism from Russia saw a 25% increase in 2024, amounting to over 29 million trips, with 11.5 million of these categorized as tourism, as reported by Interfax through the FSB’s Border Guard Service.
Despite the cessation of direct flights due to the Ukraine invasion, travelers can still reach Europe via non-sanctioned countries like Turkey and Serbia. However, the costs and travel durations have escalated dramatically; for instance, a flight from Moscow to Paris now costs around 2,000 euros and takes almost 12 hours, compared to just a few hours and a few hundred euros previously.
In spring 2025, hotel bookings for Italy surged by 33%, while those for Spain rose by 65%, and France by 45%, as OneTwoTrip noted. Italy’s share of total outbound trips has increased to 9.8%, up from 7.3%, while France climbed to 6.7% from 4.6%, and Spain rose to 3.8% from 2.3%. Yandex Travel indicated even more significant spikes, with bookings in Italy increasing 6.5 times and in Spain by 7.6 times.
The travel sector from Russia to EU countries is recovering after a sharp decline during the first two years of the war. In 2024, 1.4 million trips were made to EU nations for tourism, with a substantial number traveling overland through countries like Estonia and Lithuania, while 600,000 used air travel via friendly nations.
Increased demand for travel is also attributed to a stabilization of Schengen visa issuance, with about 449,000 visas granted to Russian tourists in 2024. The rise in disposable income, supported by military spending, has improved the living standard for many Russians, which encourages travel.
Despite the challenges, Russian tourists are also exploring further destinations, with trips abroad increasing by 15.4% in 2024. Turkey remains a primary destination due to direct flights and a visa-free policy, capturing nearly 40% of the outbound travel market. Other countries like Thailand, Japan, and Egypt also saw notable increases in Russian visitors.
During the recent New Year’s season, tourist flow from Russia to Thailand surged by 35%, demonstrating a resilient interest in travel despite geopolitical challenges. The Russian national airline, Aeroflot, has also reported growth in passenger numbers, filling seats at high rates due to the exit of Western carriers.
Domestic tourism in Russia is thriving, receiving significant investments as international competition wanes due to sanctions. In 2024, investments in tourism rose by 44%, reaching 652 billion rubles. Initiatives aimed at improving domestic travel infrastructure are in motion, with numerous modular hotel projects approved to enhance the hospitality landscape.
Russian outbound tourism, especially to Europe, is rebounding significantly in 2024, marked by increases in hotel bookings and a rise in the number of issued visas. Major factors include the growing disposable income of Russians, efficient visa processes, and the resilience of the tourism sector despite geopolitical challenges. Turkey remains a top destination, while European travels are gaining momentum as more Russians seek to explore international travel options again.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
