The press service of the Tutu.ru platform reported a striking shift in travel plans for the May holidays. According to DEA Novosti, the number of people seeking international trips for the May break has grown fourfold compared with the previous year. This surge reflects a broader appetite for overseas experiences as many travelers look to combine long weekends with meaningful getaways. The data underscores a trend toward international exploration after a period of cautious travel behavior.
Uzbekistan is drawing the most attention, capturing about one-fifth of all tickets issued for international trips in this period. Following closely, Turkey ranks second with a little over eleven percent of reservations, while Armenia occupies a strong third position. These destinations illustrate a shift toward diverse regional options rather than sticking to a single traditional hotspot.
Beyond the top three, a curated set of other popular routes includes Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Israel, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Greece. Travel demand remains varied, with travelers weighing culture, history, cuisine, and accessible flight networks as they map out mid-year escapes. The list demonstrates both a fascination with nearby regions and an openness to longer-haul experiences in the eastern Mediterranean and Eurasia corridors.
Meanwhile, domestic travel preferences remain robust, with 89 percent of travelers prioritizing home destinations. The most active routes inside the country are toward Moscow, with frequent connections also expected to Saint Petersburg as a major hub. The pattern suggests a strong domestic tourism backbone supporting regional hospitality and transportation networks as summer approaches.
As the summer travel window nears, Rostourism and the Federal Antimonopoly Service have signaled ongoing monitoring of pricing practices. They will watch for any unilateral cancellation of reservations for resale at elevated prices and for hotel price gouging. The legal community has advised travelers to pursue court action in appropriate cases, and industry associations like the Association of Tour Operators have indicated a readiness to redirect consumer interest toward fair-market options. Socialbites.ca notes that while such price-related cases do occur, they are relatively rare and typically tied to peak-season resort congestion. In parallel, the tour operator community has announced a shift in focus toward summer holidays that emphasize closer-to-home destinations and sanatoriums, reflecting a broader recalibration of what constitutes a compelling, affordable summer getaway.