May Holiday Travel Trends in Russia and Abroad
Russia’s share of the sales structure for May holiday tours saw a sharp decline over the year, dropping from 59 percent to 24 percent. This shift was reported by Kommersant, which cited calculations from the travel service Sletat.ru. The same trend was echoed by Travelata.ru, noting that domestic tours now account for only about a quarter of all May holiday sales, while this time last year domestic travel represented more than half of the market. The figures highlight a clear movement away from local trips toward international destinations during the May break.
Industry executives offered explanations for the change. Sergey Romashkin, chief executive officer of the Dolphin tour operator, pointed to a broader tightening of household budgets, with Russians choosing to cut back on weekend travel expenses in order to preserve funds for the upcoming summer vacation. This mindset shift—prioritizing essential travel and saving for longer trips—appears to be reshaping consumer behavior across the tour market.
Alongside the geographic shift, the average spend per Russian tourist booking a tour for May vacations rose year over year. The typical booking value increased by 13 percent, reaching 59.1 thousand rubles. This rise in the average check suggests that travelers are prioritizing value, or perhaps upgrading to more comprehensive packages, even as overall trip frequency adapts to tighter household budgets.
On March 25, a notable government directive complemented market signals. Dmitry Chernyshenko, the deputy prime minister of Russia, instructed the Ministry of Economic Development to ensure the regular selection and promotion of patriotic or nationally themed tourist routes. The aim is to channel travelers toward offerings that align with broader cultural or civic narratives while maintaining momentum in the domestic tourism sector.
In a related development, the Russian Embassy in Madrid reported a downturn in outbound Russian tourism to Spain. The number of Russian visitors last year was lower than the pre-pandemic level from 2019, marking a notable drop that underscores how global mobility patterns continued to adjust after the disruptions of the health crisis. The combination of shifting preferences, economic considerations, and policy signals paints a nuanced picture of May travel dynamics: fewer Russians driving domestic sales, more invest in international experiences, higher average spend on chosen trips, and a governmental push to sustain national tourism through curated routes.
Understanding these trends helps observers gauge how consumer confidence, financial planning, and official tourism strategies intersect. It also sheds light on the evolving priorities of Russian travelers as they balance budget constraints with the desire to explore both familiar and distant destinations during a peak travel period. Travel service platforms and tour operators alike are adapting by refining product offerings, adjusting pricing strategies, and highlighting routes that resonate with current consumer sentiment and policy directions.