The demand for travel during the May holidays among Russians has surged dramatically, reflecting a 68% increase compared to the previous year. According to the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI), the booking trends for 2025 indicate a notable preference for destinations like Sochi at home and Turkey abroad, which is expected to attract 57% of tourists planning to travel during this period.
Oleg Kozyrev, the marketing director of the online tour service Travelata.ru, highlighted, "The demand for trips during the May holidays has significantly increased. The volume of bookings for early May is up 68% compared to 2024. A favorable distribution of the holiday days at the beginning of May allows tourists to enjoy full-fledged holidays without using many vacation days." This substantial increase is largely attributed to the advantageous scheduling of holidays making it more convenient for Russians to travel.
Not only is the number of travelers increasing, but the total expenditure on holidays is also rising significantly. The average cost of trips to Turkey has jumped from 194,000 rubles to 237,000 rubles, marking significant growth alongside the demand. Egypt, another favored destination, saw its average trip cost escalate from 204,000 rubles to 283,000 rubles, reflecting the trending enthusiasm for overseas travel.
Domestic tourism, on the other hand, remains modest, with only 6% of tourists planning to spend their May holidays at local resorts. The average cost for these domestic trips has also increased, from 76,000 rubles to 82,000 rubles. The most popular domestic destinations include Sochi, the Kaliningrad region, Adler, St. Petersburg, and Moscow.
It’s noteworthy to mention the rising costs associated with traveling to Sochi, where the average price has surged to 107,000 rubles, up 54% from the previous year, considering it was only 67,000 rubles back in 2024. Despite the hikes, Sochi remains the top choice for domestic travelers for the second consecutive year.
Interestingly, there has been a marked decline in the percentage of tourists opting for domestic resorts, down to 6% from 12% compared to the previous year. The higher costs are influencing traveler decisions, as reflected by the increasing average spend noted earlier.
Travel to Anaapa has seen particularly high interest, with train tickets from Moscow reportedly selling out soon after booking opened. Tickets for premium travel sections, priced near 100,000 rubles for two people, were among the first to disappear. The cost of traveling via train from Moscow to Anaapa on May 1 is currently at 5,400 rubles for economy class and 4,500 rubles for sleeper cabins, indicating rising public interest and consumer spending.
With the continued growth of travel demand, experts are closely monitoring trends to assess how fluctuated spending might impact the travel industry moving forward. Airlines and tour operators alike are adjusting their approaches to accommodate this growing appetite for travel during the May holiday period, promising numerous offerings and enhanced travel experiences for Russian tourists. The current climate indicates a strong rebound for the tourism sector, following years of challenges.
Overall, the rise of the May holiday travel trend is set against the backdrop not only of increased traveler spending but also of changing preferences and behaviors among Russian tourists. The surge offers hopeful signs for both domestic and international travel entities as they prepare for one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.