The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had a profound impact on the nation’s tourism industry, causing a dramatic shift towards domestic travel. Before the conflict, Russian citizens favored vacations abroad. However, international travel has become increasingly difficult due to flight suspensions, visa restrictions, and payment limitations imposed by sanctions. This has led to a surge in domestic tourism, as Russians explore the vast landscapes of their own country.
The European Union’s suspension of direct flights between the EU and Russia, coupled with visa restrictions and soaring airfare costs to destinations like Turkey, has significantly reduced international travel options for Russians. The inability to use Russian payment cards abroad or on non-Russian websites has further complicated travel plans. This is reflected in data: outbound Russian tourism decreased by 44% between 2019 and 2023, according to Statista.
In contrast, domestic tourism has seen a significant rise. The Russian government reports a 21% year-on-year increase in domestic tourism in 2023, and this trend has continued into 2024, with a 9.35% rise in Russian travelers exploring their home country during the first half of the year, according to TASS news agency and the Ministry of Economy.
Moscow remains the most popular domestic destination, attracting 5.9 million tourists. The Krasnodar region, home to the Black Sea resorts, follows closely with 4.3 million visitors. Despite the proximity to conflict zones in Ukraine, many Russian tourists still travel to the southwest region. However, some are avoiding the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea due to attacks on the Kerch bridge, a key tourist route. Despite the challenges, the Crimean authorities reported an increase in tourist numbers, with over 3.2 million visitors between January and July 2024, marking a 19% rise compared to the previous year.
The ongoing conflict has made travel to the southwest of Russia more time-consuming. Airports like Anapa and Guelendjik, popular beach destinations, remain closed due to military operations. This has forced many tourists to opt for train or car journeys, which can take over 24 hours to reach their destinations.
Despite the inconveniences, domestic tourism has become a profitable industry for Russia. In 2023, the sector generated a profit of 280 billion rubles (about 2.7 billion euros), a 2.3-fold increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. The trend highlights the resilience of Russia’s tourism sector and its ability to adapt to geopolitical challenges.
