Russian Holidaymakers Return to Europe as Demand for Trips Abroad Surges
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Loading... - Morven Clarke
- 13 Feb 2025
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Russian tourists are increasingly booking trips to Europe, with a notable rise in hotel reservations for popular destinations such as Spain, France, and Italy. According to leading online travel aggregators, outbound tourism from Russia saw a 25% increase in 2024, with over 29 million trips made, including 11.5 million for tourism purposes.
Despite the cessation of direct flights between Russia and the EU following the invasion of Ukraine, travelers have found ways to reach their destinations via countries not participating in sanctions, such as Turkey and Serbia. However, the journey has become more complicated and expensive, with trips from Moscow to Paris now taking around 12 hours and costing approximately €2,000.
This has not deterred determined travelers. Hotel bookings in Italy for the upcoming spring season (March-May 2025) have surged by 33% year-on-year, while Spain and France saw increases of 65% and 45%, respectively. Italy now accounts for 9.8% of all outbound trips from Russia, up from 7.3% last spring, with France and Spain also experiencing significant growth.
The rebound in travel comes after a sharp decline in the first two years of the war, when trips to EU countries fell by 26% year-on-year. However, the Russian economy has benefited from increased state military spending, leading to a new "war middle class" and improved quality of life for many Russians, which has contributed to the rise in travel.
The stabilization of Schengen visa issuance has also played a role in the growing demand for trips abroad. In 2024, approximately 449,000 Schengen visas were issued to Russians for tourism, with 17 of the 29 Schengen-zone countries participating.
While online travel platforms have not disclosed exact booking figures, they confirm that Italy and France remain popular year-round. Summer bookings for 2025 in Italy and France have risen by 35% and 12%, respectively.
In addition to European destinations, Russian tourists are exploring further afield. In 2024, trips abroad increased by 15.4%, with Turkey accounting for nearly 40% of the market. Other popular destinations included Abkhazia, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, and China. Notably, trips to Japan saw a 2.3-fold increase year-on-year.
During the long New Year’s break, tourist flow from Russia to Thailand soared by 35% year-on-year, highlighting the continued interest in international travel despite geopolitical tensions.
The Russian national carrier Aeroflot has also benefited from the situation, stepping in to fill the gaps left by departing Western carriers. The airline reported a 2% year-on-year increase in passengers carried in January, with a passenger load factor reaching 86%.
Sanctions have inadvertently boosted domestic tourism operators, as international competitors have exited the market. Investment in the Russian tourism industry grew by 44% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2024, reaching 652 billion rubles (approximately $6.8 billion). The Russian government has also prioritized tourism as part of its National Projects, providing significant investment and subsidies to improve the quality of life for ordinary Russians.
In summary, despite the challenges posed by sanctions and geopolitical tensions, Russian holidaymakers are returning to Europe, driven by improved visa access, rising disposable incomes, and a recovering tourism industry.
