Tourism Services Volume in Russia Declines 6-18% Since Start of Year

© изображение сгенерировал ИИ

In the first quarter of 2026, demand for travel agency services dropped by 6% year-on-year, while hotel bookings fell by 18%, according to data from "Check Index" and "Platform OFD" cited by Kommersant.

This negative trend was driven by a sharp decline in demand for international travel in March following the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East. The market had been on an upward trajectory in January and February.

Travel agencies have so far been unable to offset these losses through domestic tourism. Interest in travel within Russia has also decreased, with bookings during the off-season down 4-5% year-on-year. This is partly due to disruptions at airports in southern Russia.

Egypt emerged as the most popular international destination in the first quarter, accounting for 30% of sales. This reflects a shift in demand from tourists who canceled trips to the UAE. Turkey accounted for 18.4% of bookings, while Thailand took 12%.