A recent travel planning study tracked where Russians most often choose to celebrate International Women’s Day by traveling. The findings reveal clear patterns in preferences for destinations and hotel classes across several Russian cities and a handful of international hotspots. This overview presents the key takeaways from that study, highlighting popular urban hubs, favored accommodation types, and emerging travel corridors tied to the March holiday. The data indicate a strong tilt toward city breaks in the Russian capital, celebrated by a sizable portion of travelers who book stays in four star properties and city center neighborhoods that offer convenient access to museums, theaters, and vibrant nightlife.
In Russia, Moscow tops the list as the most frequented city for March travel, attracting about a quarter of all hotel reservations. Four-star hotels lead the demand there, suggesting visitors value a balance of comfort and accessibility in the heart of the metropolis. Close behind, St. Petersburg records a meaningful share of bookings, signaling a sustained interest in its imperial architecture, world-class galleries, and canal-side strolls during the holiday period. The next tier of popular destinations includes Sochi and Petersburg, with steady demand around the eight of March, where mid-range accommodations dominate and guests tend to favor three-star options when budgeting or planning shorter sojourns.
A cluster of domestic getaways follows, with Esto-Sadok drawing notable attention and commanding around five percent of reservations. Four-star hotels appear particularly favored in this resort area, where guests typically seek comfortable, modern amenities after days spent exploring mountain trails and scenic landscapes. Kazan and Kaliningrad also register solid shares, underscoring a nationwide interest in both historic centers and contemporary hotel experiences, with a mix of four-star and three-star properties meeting varying price points and comfort expectations.
Other Russian cities such as Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk show modest but meaningful booking fractions, reflecting regional travel interest during the holiday, while Novosibirsk and Krasnodar reveal distinct patterns related to star rating preferences. In Novosibirsk travelers tend to opt for three-star accommodations during their extended city stays, whereas Krasnodar draws travelers toward four-star properties, aligned with the city’s growing appeal and hospitality options.
Outside Russia, Istanbul stands out as the preferred international destination among those traveling for International Women’s Day, capturing the largest share of foreign bookings and attracting visitors with a mix of rich history, vibrant markets, and modern hospitality. Four-star hotels remain popular in Istanbul, echoing the broader trend toward comfortable, well-located options for short getaways that combine daytime sightseeing with lively evening scenes. Dubai secures a strong position in second place, followed by Bangkok, which is consistently favored for warm-weather escapes combined with affordable luxury. Yerevan and several European capitals also appear on the radar, with Paris, Minsk, Barcelona, and Milan offering a blend of culture, gastronomy, and easy flight connections for travelers planning a March break. The overall picture shows a diverse portfolio of destinations that cater to different tastes and budgets while staying connected through a robust network of mid-range to upscale accommodations. (citation)
Earlier conversations about International Women’s Day have highlighted gift-giving traditions, noting that a significant portion of Russian women share their wish lists with partners in advance of the holiday. This social dynamic often coincides with the travel planning pattern, where couples leverage advance insights to choose thoughtful experiences, comfortable lodging, and timely travel arrangements that align with the March calendar. (citation)