Leonid Slutsky, who leads the LDPR faction in the State Duma, advocated making travel to resorts free for children from large families. This proposal was reported by TASS and has since sparked economic and social discussions about supporting multi-child households in Russia. The core aim is to ease family mobility and encourage shared vacations, especially for those with several children who face higher travel costs and logistical challenges when planning trips across the country.
The draft bill suggests compensating for the revenue losses tied to the designated benefit by allocating funds from the federal budget. The benefit would be available to children from families with three or more children, with the intention of reducing barriers to travel and recreation within Russia. This policy approach reflects a broader trend of targeted social assistance designed to bolster family well-being and cohesion, while also stimulating domestic tourism and regional development through increased travel demand.
According to the draft, the objective is clear: to give families with many children more opportunities for joint recreation by providing free transportation for children under 17 years old anywhere within the Russian Federation. The measure envisions easing the burden of transportation costs, which can be a significant obstacle for larger families seeking to explore the country’s diverse regions and cultural sites.
Observers note that costs for holidays in Russia have risen substantially, with costs increasing by around one third in recent periods. This context helps explain why the proposal has attracted attention from lawmakers and social policy analysts who are examining how to maintain quality family time without placing excessive strain on household budgets. At the same time, data show that a sizable portion of the population tends to stay home during school holidays, indicating a potential mismatch between available leisure opportunities and actual participation.
Earlier this year, a regional government in Saratov announced an exemption from kindergarten fees for large families, signaling a pattern of targeted parental support across different levels of government. Such regional measures often serve as pilots or precursors to broader national discussions about family policy and the balance between public spending and family welfare.
On the national stage, the government has previously commented on proposals related to family policy, including ideas to shorten the work week for families with many children. These discussions reflect ongoing efforts to align labor policy with demographic and social welfare goals, while also considering economic sustainability and productivity. The dialogue around these topics illustrates how multi-child families are increasingly being viewed through the lens of public policy as a demographic group that can benefit from carefully designed supports and incentives. The conversation continues as officials weigh potential fiscal implications, implementation frameworks, and the broader impact on travel, leisure, and regional economies across the country.