Experts from the Gaidar Institute have assessed the reasons why Russians have cooled down to domestic tourism

Maria Girich, Researcher at the International Best Practices Analysis Department, noted that the rising cost of services is one of the main reasons for the cooling. “In accommodation facilities, accommodation prices have been rising by 15–20% annually since 2021,” the expert pointed. At the same time, Girich emphasized the importance of developing inbound tourism. "In particular, the visa regime plays a special role. For example, China has eased the visa regime: more than 74 countries can now enter China without a visa for up to 30 days. This has led to more than 20 mn foreign tourists entering China in 2024 — twice the 2023 number.

To attract foreign tourists to Russia, it is also important to promote Russian tourist products abroad, for example, through cooperation with foreign tourism platforms and bureaus, and ensuring the representation of Russian accommodation facilities on such platforms. An important issue will be the ability to make cross-border payments.

In addition, Russian companies can be stimulated by special programs of financial support for participants of the tourism industry (e.g., financing or co-financing of events, participation in exhibitions, subsidies to compensate part of the costs of tourism companies for the adaptation of tourist services, etc.)," said Maria Girich.

Lora Nakoryakova, Partner of the Center for Evidence-Based Expertise at the Gaidar Institute, added other reasons for the cooling of Russians to domestic tourism. “Domestic tourism, if I may say so, is slightly “stalling” due to rising prices for logistics, distrust of quality (while the opinion that a tourist for the same money abroad gets a better level of service, food, conditions) persists, transport restrictions on southern destinations in Russia, the environmental situation in Anapa and neighboring regions. As a result, the modern image of domestic tourism in Russia is more of a “weekend” vacation, conditionally up to 200 km by car, for 1–2 nights", said the expert.