Nations Including Kazakhstan, China, and Kyrgyzstan Draw Individuals Towards Yakutsk
So, Which Places Were Swarming with Russian Tourists This Year? Let's Take a Look!
Ever wondered where your fellow Russians were jetting off to during those well-deserved long weekends? Well, wonder no more! Here's a lowdown on where the global travel scene was heated up by the influx of Russian tourists this year.
According to analysts from MegaFon and "Sletat.ru," there was a striking 21% surge in Yakutians headed abroad compared to the previous year, with domestic tour demand skyrocketing by 43%. Traditional destinations for Yakutians include Kazakhstan, China, and Kyrgyzstan, witnessing a 20% increase in visits this year. Thailand, Turkey, and Belarus were also on the itinerary for many Yakutians.
Moving on to the nationwide picture, Turkish beaches became the preferred escape for 15% of all Russian travelers during the May holidays. Belarus took the second spot with 12%, while Kazakhstan secured the third position with 8%. The top 5 was completed by the UAE and Egypt.
"Sletat.ru" found that a whopping 35% of all tour requests were for Turkey, while Egypt bagged 18% and the UAE nabbed 9%.
Going for Gold in Exotic Tourism
A notable upsurge in interest could be seen for exotic destinations worldwide, with Vietnam leading the pack. The Land of the Ascending Dragon experienced a staggering 182% increase in tourist flow. Africa's Tunisia and the Middle East's Jordan followed suit, reporting a rise of 114% and 88%, respectively. Russia's fascination with Africa deepened, as the continent saw a 40% rise in tourists compared to the previous year. While Egypt continued to remain popular, countries like Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa also gained prominence.
Asia couldn't keep pace with Vietnam in terms of tourist influx, yet countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Mongolia recorded higher numbers of visitors. It's worth noting that China and Thailand shared the top spot last year with 30% of all travelers opting for Asia, but this year China saw a substantial rise, garnering 38%, while Thailand dipped to 23%.
Europe: Just a Slight Bump in Tourist Flow
Europe experienced a modest 4% growth in tourist flow, while countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States, which had seen a decline the previous year, experienced a 22% upsurge in visitors.
Curious about the broader picture? Here's one for you! The last couple of years have seen Russian tourists taking a fancy to the pristine beaches of the Caribbean, with the Dominican Republic and Cuba lobbying for top spots on their itineraries. Additionally, Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, have been experiencing growth in tourism from Russia. Southeast Asia, with Vietnam at its helm, is alsoAmong the potential front-runners in attracting Russian tourists.
In short, whether it's the exotic corners of Asia, the enchanting charm of Africa, or the tropical allure of the Caribbean, Russian tourists are exploring uncharted territories and shaking up the global tourism scene!
Sources:[1] The Moscow Times, 2023. (https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/02/18/uzbekistan-russia-tourism-a79091)[2] Russia Beyond, 2021. (https://www.russia-ic.com/article/russians-favourite-destinations-2021)[3] TASS, 2022. (https://tass.com/tourism/1484886)[4] AFP, 2021. (https://www.rt.com/russia/538397-host-russians-cuban-direct-flights/)[5] VisaHQ, 2021. (https://www.visahq.com/travel-visa/dominican-republic-visa-for-citizens-of-russia/)
Yakutians, enticed by exotic destinations, have shown a 21% surge in traveling abroad compared to the previous year, including popular locations like Thailand, Turkey, and Belarus.
Since the fascination with Africa has risen among Russians, many have added countries like Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa to their travel list, with an overall 40% increase in African tourist flow compared to last year.
