900,000 Russian Tourists to Travel Abroad During May Holidays, with Turkey as the Top Destination

A significant increase in the number of Russian tourists traveling abroad is expected during the May 2025 holiday period. According to the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR), approximately 900,000 Russian tourists are projected to travel internationally between April 28 and May 12, 2025. This figure represents a 30% increase compared to the same period last year.

Several factors are driving this growth, including the strengthening of the Russian ruble, expansion of international flight networks, and the addition of new destinations like Vietnam, which has become accessible via direct flights. Additionally, this year’s official holiday calendar is especially suitable for 7- to 10-night vacations, encouraging longer getaways.

Turkey remains the top international destination, accounting for 45% of all bookings, followed by:

• Egypt (20%),
• United Arab Emirates (11%),
• Thailand (5.5%), and
• Vietnam (4%).

Vietnam has emerged as a new mass-tourism destination, with charter flights from 14 different Russian cities to the coastal city of Nha Trang. While Turkey leads in overall share, Egypt has surpassed Turkey in terms of reservation growth, with a 104% increase in demand compared to the previous year.

Russian travelers booked their vacations earlier than usual this year. By March, most of the popular hotels were already fully booked, and tour operators warn that last-minute holiday packages will be scarce. Since the majority of sales have already been completed, a surge in bookings just before the holidays is not expected.

Average travel costs for international holidays have also risen:

• A 6–7-night all-inclusive stay in Turkey for two people now costs approximately 170,000–190,000 rubles.
• For Egypt, prices are around 210,000–230,000 rubles.
• In the UAE, 220,000–260,000 rubles.
• In Thailand and Vietnam, trips are usually 10–12 nights, costing between 180,000–240,000 rubles and 160,000–220,000 rubles, respectively.
• The Maldives remains the most expensive, with trips ranging between 400,000–650,000 rubles.

There has also been a noticeable increase in demand for luxury travel. In Turkey, premium hotel bookings have reached €46,000 (excluding flights), while villa vacations in Thailand have cost $46,000, hotel stays in the UAE $37,000, and in the Maldives $33,000. This trend highlights the growing interest in high-end holidays among affluent Russian tourists.