A large portion of Russians, about 41.8 percent, view a vacation at domestic resorts this year as the ideal break. In contrast, roughly half of the population favors travel abroad. These insights come from a survey conducted by the online financial platform Webbankir and reported by the site socialbites.ca.
When asked about preferred vacation styles, the second most popular choice was spending time within the country or outside the city, selected by 41 percent of respondents. Other options showed slightly smaller interest: staying at home or taking a trip around Russia each drew 24.9 percent and 24 percent, respectively, while 16.5 percent expressed a preference for independent walking and outdoor activities.
Foreign beach getaways were chosen by 19 percent of participants, and 9.9 percent opted for trips abroad focused on sightseeing. Notably, 59.1 percent admitted they have never vacationed abroad. Among those who had, 23.9 percent went abroad before the pandemic, 8.8 percent a few years ago, 5.6 percent last year, and 2.6 percent only this year.
Opinions about the price of an ideal vacation varied. About two out of three respondents, 63.4 percent, estimated that at least 100 thousand rubles are necessary for a good weeklong vacation for a family of three. Of the rest, 23.8 percent would allocate between 100 thousand and 150 thousand rubles, while 18.7 percent would spend 150 thousand to 200 thousand rubles. The remaining 20.9 percent believed that 200 thousand rubles are needed for an ideal vacation.
A notable share of participants indicated openness to financing vacations with loans. Specifically, 10.8 percent said they would definitely consider a vacation loan, and 2.8 percent had already used one. Another 45.3 percent would resort to loans if there were a serious need, while 12.7 percent said they would definitely not apply for loan funds, with 28.4 percent expressing uncertainty or ambivalence. These attitudes reflect a broader trend toward leveraging credit for leisure among Russian travelers.
The Webbankir survey, conducted in June 2023, surveyed about 2,000 people across Russia. Respondents could provide more than one answer to the question, How do you imagine your ideal vacation? The results highlight a spectrum of preferences, from domestic short breaks to long-haul international trips, and reveal how cost, risk, and personal interests shape vacation planning in the country.
Additionally, there remains a perceived demand for health centers and wellness facilities within Russia, indicating interest in values like rest, recuperation, and accessible medical tourism options as part of future travel choices.