A recent study conducted by MTS Travel, a hotel reservation service, analyzed tourist flows across Russia for January through July 2023. The findings show that Primorsky Krai experienced the largest surge in travel activity, rising by 44 percent compared with the same period in the previous year, according to TASS reports.
The report highlights a broader trend: Far East regions drew the most attention from travelers this year. Alongside Primorsky Krai, the Sakhalin Region and Yakutia ranked among the top three for growth in tourism, with arrivals in these areas increasing by about one third over 2023 figures.
Other destinations also saw notable gains. The Khabarovsk Territory and Kamchatka Territory each recorded increases of 29 percent and 26 percent, respectively, while the Amur Region reported a 24 percent uptick in visitor numbers compared with 2022.
Earlier statements from Georgy Mokhov, who chairs the legal committee of the Russian Travel Industry Association, emphasized that residents of the Russian Federation have opportunities to vacation in Bulgaria, Spain, Greece, and Montenegro. These remarks underscored the ongoing interest in international getaways among Russian travelers.
Dmitry Gorin, Vice President of the Russian Travel Industry Association, noted that demand for European destinations among Russian tourists grew in the first half of the year compared with the same period in the prior year. He added that neither the removal of a simplified visa regime nor delays in visa processing has deterred this appetite for European travel.
In a separate health-related note, a 50-year-old tourist required hospital care following a prolonged sexual encounter that extended for 24 hours, resulting in necrosis of tissue. This incident underscores the importance of safe, informed travel planning and the broader health considerations travelers may encounter while abroad.