Russian travelers are flocking to Spain, France, Italy, Türkiye, Serbia, Thailand, Mexico, Japan, and Kazakhstan, making them must-visit destinations in 2025.

Russian travelers are once again booking trips to Europe in significant numbers, with leading destinations like Spain, France, and Italy experiencing a substantial increase in hotel reservations for 2025. Despite challenges such as extended travel times and higher costs due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, Russian outbound tourism showed remarkable growth in 2024, highlighting the resilience of this market.

Growth in Outbound Travel

Outbound tourism from Russia surged by 25% in 2024, with over 29 million trips abroad, including 11.5 million for tourism. This marks a significant recovery compared to 2023, as cited by the FSB’s Border Guard Service. The rise reflects increasing disposable incomes and improved living standards among Russians, fueled in part by the country’s economic stabilization despite international sanctions.

Leading travel aggregators such as OneTwoTrip and Yandex Travel report a sharp uptick in hotel bookings for Europe. Italy, for instance, saw hotel reservations rise by one-third for the spring 2025 season, while bookings for Spain climbed 65%, and France recorded a 45% increase. Yandex Travel’s data indicated even steeper growth, with bookings in Italy increasing 6.5 times, France 7.5 times, and Spain 7.6 times year-on-year.

Schengen Visa Stabilization

A key factor contributing to this rebound is the stabilization of Schengen visa issuance. In 2024, approximately 449,000 Schengen visas were issued to Russian tourists, with 17 out of 29 Schengen-zone countries granting access. This development, combined with rising disposable incomes, has encouraged Russian travelers to return to their favorite European destinations.

Overcoming Travel Challenges

Direct flights between Russia and the EU remain suspended due to geopolitical conflicts. However, many Russian tourists navigate this obstacle by traveling through “friendly” nations such as Türkiye and Serbia. Though these connecting routes are costlier and more time-consuming, determined travelers continue to prioritize Europe, underscoring their enduring interest in destinations like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona.

Travel costs have soared, with a Moscow-Paris trip now taking up to 12 hours and costing around 2,000 euros compared to just a few hundred euros and a two-hour journey pre-2022. Despite these challenges, demand is surging, especially for Italy, France, and Spain, which have seen significant increases in Russian visitor numbers.

Popular European Destinations

Italy now accounts for nearly 10% of all Russian outbound travel, up from 7.3% in 2023. France and Spain have similarly seen growth, with shares rising to 6.7% and 3.8%, respectively. These countries remain year-round favorites for Russian tourists, thanks to their rich cultural attractions, iconic landmarks, and vibrant hospitality sectors.

Expanding Horizons

While Europe remains a key destination, Russian travelers are exploring new horizons. Popular destinations like Türkiye, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates continue to attract millions of visitors, thanks to direct flights and visa-free regimes. Additionally, there is rising interest in more distant locations such as Thailand, Mexico, and Japan, which reported a 2.3-fold increase in Russian visitors in 2024.

Domestic Tourism Boom

The sanctions and reduced access to Western travel markets have also spurred significant growth in Russia’s domestic tourism sector. Investments in tourism infrastructure reached $6.8 billion in the first nine months of 2024, a 44% year-on-year increase. Initiatives under the government’s “Tourism and Hospitality” program have supported the construction of over 600 modular hotel projects, adding approximately 14,500 new rooms.

Airlines Benefit from Market Shift

Russian carriers like Aeroflot have stepped in to fill the void left by Western airlines, significantly boosting domestic and international passenger traffic. Aeroflot Group carried 3.9 million passengers in January 2025 alone, with international routes achieving an impressive 82.8% passenger load factor.

A Promising Year Ahead

As 2025 unfolds, Russian tourism is poised for further growth. Improved access to European destinations, combined with rising incomes and growing interest in global travel, is set to redefine the tourism landscape. For Spain, France, and Italy, the surge in Russian visitors offers an opportunity to strengthen their positions as leading travel destinations. Meanwhile, destinations further afield continue to attract adventurous Russian travelers, diversifying their tourism options.

The enduring love for travel among Russians, coupled with evolving economic and political dynamics, underscores the resilience and adaptability of this market. From bustling cities like Barcelona and Paris to exotic escapes in Thailand and Mexico, Russian tourists are leaving a significant mark on the global travel industry.

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