In December 2023, the number of hotel reservations by Russians in China and Japan rose more than tenfold compared with December 2022. The rise was disclosed to socialbites.ca by the press service of Ostrovok.Ru, the online booking platform. This stark increase signals a renewed interest among Russian travelers in East Asian destinations and reflects shifting preferences during the winter travel season. Notably, China and Japan sit among the foreign countries most favored by Russian tourists according to Ostrovok.Ru’s data. The finding underscores how travel demand in late 2023 leaned toward Asia, helped by improving flight options and a broader range of accommodations at various price points. The information is attributed to Ostrovok.Ru and confirmed by their press office [citation: Ostrovok.Ru press service].
Beyond the East Asian pair, the Asian region as a whole showed meaningful growth. During the period in review, hotel bookings in Thailand increased by 37 percent, Vietnam by 14 percent, and Indonesia by 8 percent. In many other markets, the pace of bookings remained steady year over year. In addition to Asia, the growth also came from CIS countries, which are easier to access due to visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements. This combination helped drive overall travel volume higher for Russian tourists, highlighting a diversification of destination choices alongside sustained interest in familiar regions [citation: Ostrovok.Ru press service].
Yearly figures reveal further shifts: accommodation reservations rose by 20 percent in Azerbaijan and by 13 percent in Uzbekistan, signaling broader regional strength in travel demand among Russian travelers. The data suggest that affordability and availability in nearby markets supported continued outbound tourism through the year, even as travelers kept an eye on pricing and value in the holiday season. Industry analysts note that visa policies and flight connectivity often shape these patterns, with visa-free CIS routes offering practical options for many travelers [citation: Ostrovok.Ru press service].
Art Tour General Manager Dmitry Arutyunov commented that the most affordable holiday options among Asian destinations now appear in Sri Lanka and Thailand. He explained that the Asian market has become more flexible with a wider array of offers, and that there are numerous flights and hotels across different price categories. He added that the minimum cost of a flight to Asian countries is typically in the range of 40,000 to 50,000 rubles, and that a weeklong stay for two can reach about 200,000 rubles in favorable scenarios. This assessment reflects the ongoing effort by travelers to balance cost with the desire for variety and quality in a region offering both cultural richness and modern conveniences [citation: Ostrovok.Ru press service].
The broader travel landscape confirms Thailand as a standout destination for Russians this season. Thailand is followed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt in the ranking of most popular destinations, illustrating a mix of long-haul leisure appeal and regional heat for winter travelers. These patterns illustrate how preferences evolve with currency dynamics, seasonal promotions, and ongoing changes in airline schedules, all of which influence how Russians choose their winter and early-spring getaways. Observers note that the appeal of destinations within Asia, combined with accessible options in neighboring regions, continues to shape a resilient outbound travel market for Russian tourists [citation: Ostrovok.Ru press service].