During the first nine months of the year, outbound travel from Russia rose by seven percent, reaching roughly 22.5 million international visits. This momentum reflects broader shifts in global travel demand as households adjust budgets and explorers seek new experiences after years of restrictions. The shift shows a steady willingness among Russian travelers to diversify their itineraries, balancing familiar beach escapes with city breaks, cultural explorations, and visits to markets across continents. With January through September as a snapshot, travelers pursued a mix of destinations, ranging from sun-soaked resorts to historic capitals, signaling a resilient appetite for international exploration that persists into today.
Nearly half of all outbound travel originated from 32 non-CIS markets, totaling about 10.6 million trips. The majority of these journeys pointed toward Asia and parts of North Africa, illustrating a search for warmer climates, diverse cultures, and value destinations. Among the selected places were Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, and other nations with robust tourism infrastructures. Serbia also appeared on the list in Europe. For readers in Canada and the United States, these patterns echo the appeal of long-haul itineraries that blend culture, cuisine, and convenient flight connections from major hubs.
Growth in travel to neighboring markets, often described as the near abroad, was modest. The increase stood at roughly one and a half percent compared with the same period last year, underscoring a cautious shift rather than a surge in regional travel. For North American audiences, this suggests that cross-border and regional trips in the broader European-Asian corridor may remain a secondary priority compared with longer-haul journeys to distant destinations offering distinctive experiences.
From the list of top destinations, Türkiye led with more than five million visits, underscoring its broad appeal for sun, culture, and cuisine. China ranked second with about 1.36 million trips, and the United Arab Emirates claimed third place with around 1.34 million entries. Among post-Soviet states, Abkhazia attracted the largest share, with around 1.3 million arrivals. This mix shows how Russian travelers pursued a spectrum of travel styles, from luxe city getaways to nature-centric retreats, while weighing distance, visa ease, and perceived safety.
Caravan-style travel gained traction as travelers sought flexibility and variety within one journey. In September, rental inquiries for such itineraries rose by about ten percent, signaling a growing interest in self-guided explorations where pacing can be adjusted to suit weather and mood.
The discussion around affordable ski getaways persisted, with attention turning to economical options within Russia. The conversation reflects ongoing interest in value-focused winter escapes for families and solo travelers alike, as markets continue to adapt to evolving travel budgets and preferences across the region.