As the May holidays approach, a surge in demand for active tourism in Russia has been noted, with regions like Kamchatka, Sakhalin, and Altai leading the pack. According to Vadim Mamontov, the Head of the Committee of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST) for Adventure Tourism and General Director of RussiaDiscovery, the appetite for both domestic and international adventure tours is robust, particularly as travelers seek experiences beyond the typical beach vacation.
This year, the first decade of May is witnessing a significant interest in remote regions, with bookings for the summer period increasing by nearly 60% compared to last year. Mamontov remarked that while sales dynamics for the May holidays remain steady, summer months show a promising growth of 58%. "The depth of bookings has increased by an average of 70% over the past two years for both Far Eastern regions and expedition travel," he stated.
Kamchatka, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands are the top choices for summer adventures, while Altai has seen an increase of about 30%. Notably, there has been a remarkable surge in bookings for the Putorana Plateau in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and Karelia, with growth rates of 270% and 190% respectively. Mamontov pointed out that the most popular type of vacation remains combined tours, where multiple activities are integrated into one experience, accounting for 40% of total sales. Trekking and expedition tours also rank high among travelers' preferences.
On average, tourists are booking trips that last between 7 to 9 days, with the average expenditure per person rising by 23% to 166,000 rubles. Ksenia Andrianova, head of the travel booking service Turslet, which is part of the Sletat.ru group, echoed these sentiments, noting that the volume of active tour sales is on par with last year, with summer outperforming winter in terms of active tourists.
Andrianova highlighted popular destinations for summer tours, including Altai, the Caucasus, Karelia, Baikal, and Kamchatka, where activities such as hiking, trekking, and sometimes rafting or horseback riding are frequently requested. Tours typically last from five days and start at a minimum cost of 15,000 rubles per person. One popular excursion is the "Ascent to the Holy Nose with a view of Lake Baikal," which includes accommodation in tents, food, transport, and the rental of tourist equipment.
In Karelia, the director of the company Karelian Thresholds, Vladimir Kucherenko, reported good sales for the May holidays, particularly among rafting enthusiasts planning trips on rivers for 3 to 4 days. "We have one group already formed, and there are still applications for mid-May and late May," he noted. While he estimates that demand is holding at last year's levels, he acknowledged that weather conditions could significantly influence this trend.
Kucherenko also observed a growing interest in one-day rafting trips, especially among schoolchildren in Petrozavodsk. This renewed enthusiasm for rafting indicates a revival of the traditional outdoor adventure culture among Russians. He stated, "People are now more willing to go rafting and are even bringing their children along, including very young ones."
Beyond domestic adventures, there is an increasing interest in unconventional active tours abroad, as travelers seek new experiences. Yulia Sokolova, Head of Sales and Product Development at ITM group, noted, "People are tired of just lying on the beach. They want something unusual, which is why author routes are in high demand, particularly in the active and expedition tour segments." Popular destinations include Japan, Latin and South America, the UAE, and Kenya, alongside expedition cruises to Antarctica and trekking in Nepal.
In Southeast Asia, activities like surfing in Bali and diving in Malaysia are also gaining traction. The depth of sales for these complex tours can reach up to 10 months, with the average cost for such tours around 500,000 rubles per person in a double room. For the May holidays, ITM group is offering a unique tour called "In the Footsteps of Miklouho-Maclay," which combines expedition elements, scientific research, and support from a scientific staff member. This tour has nearly sold out.
The trend towards active tourism reflects a broader shift in traveler preferences, as more individuals seek immersive experiences that challenge them physically and mentally. As the May holidays draw near, it’s clear that adventure tourism in Russia is not only thriving but evolving, catering to a growing demand for exploration and discovery.
