Russians Spend Almost $50Bln on International Travel as Stronger Ruble Fuels Outbound Growth

Russians spent practically $50 billion on journeys overseas final 12 months, near a report excessive as a stronger ruble and improved flight connections spurred a surge in outbound tourism, preliminary Central Bank knowledge showed.

Imports of providers below the Travel class, which displays spending by Russians abroad, totaled $49.7 billion, according to the Central Bank.

That was solely barely beneath the 2014 report of $50.4 billion and marked the second-highest determine because the Bank started publishing the information in 2001.

Spending rose by greater than 1 / 4, or $10.9 billion, in contrast with 2024.

Outlays peaked in December at $5.67 billion, widening the providers commerce deficit to just about double its November stage.

The Central Bank stated the soar mirrored a standard year-end enhance in outbound tourism, captured in larger travel-related service imports.

The surge in journey spending had a visual influence on the broader stability of funds. Travel providers exports — spending by international guests in Russia — rose by simply $1.3 billion to $8.9 billion, whereas the adverse stability below the class widened by $9.5 billion.

The Central Bank cited two primary causes for a one-third decline within the present account surplus in 2025, to $41.4 billion from $62.6 billion, equal to 2% of GDP versus 3% a 12 months earlier: decrease exports amid comparatively secure imports, and a pointy rise in providers imports.

Data from Russia’s border service showed the variety of outbound vacationer journeys rose 15.6% to 13.4 million. In whole, Russians traveled overseas 31.5 million instances in 2025, up 8% 12 months on 12 months.

Turkey remained the preferred vacation spot, with 4.61 million journeys, up 3% year-on-year.

It was adopted by the United Arab Emirates (1.72 million, up 17%), Egypt (1.62 million, up 36%), China (1.36 million, up 34%) and Thailand (885,760).

Thailand was the one main vacation spot to see a decline, with journeys down 5.3%.

Organized tourism grew quicker than the market general. Sales of outbound package deal excursions rose 25-30%, according to the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR), citing knowledge from tour aggregator Sletat.ru and main operators.

Industry representatives said a stronger ruble and the event of extra handy routes, together with long-haul direct flights to tropical locations similar to Vietnam, China, Cuba and Oman, have been key drivers of progress.

China’s resolution in September to permit Russian vacationers visa-free entry additionally boosted visitors to report ranges, with tour gross sales to China rising a number of instances over.

Tour operators stated improved transit hyperlinks by means of China additionally helped enhance flows to South Korea and Japan, each seen as having comparatively manageable visa procedures for Russians.

Market individuals expect vacationer flows to Japan to develop by at the least 25% after the nation opened visa facilities in Moscow and St. Petersburg this month, with gross sales for cherry blossom excursions already up 30-40%.

Egypt noticed a few of the strongest progress, with main operators and aggregators estimating gross sales up 30-50%, and the business affiliation placing the rise at 36%.

Sales to Vietnam surged by a number of hundred p.c after constitution flights to the resort cities of Nha Trang and Phu Quoc resumed.

Tour operators stated costs for many international locations remained near 2024 ranges, and in some instances — similar to China and Vietnam — even declined. By distinction, home holidays turned costlier.

According to state statistics company Rosstat, lodging costs in Russia rose greater than 9% 12 months on 12 months within the first 11 months, whereas sanatorium stays increased 11%. Overseas journey costs rose 4.6% over the identical interval.

Although official full-year home tourism knowledge have but to be launched, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said journeys inside Russia rose 5% 12 months on 12 months to 82.9 million within the first 11 months. However, gross sales of organized home excursions fell 11%, the tour operators’ affiliation stated.

Industry figures attributed the slowdown in home tourism largely to a drop in guests to the Krasnodar area, particularly Anapa, the place seashores stay closed following a gas spill in late 2024.

The ATOR estimated vacationer flows to the area fell 15%, together with a 72% drop in Anapa and round 4% in Sochi.

Rising airfare and lodging prices throughout the nation additionally weighed on demand. Tours to the Krasnodar area final summer time have been on common 15-20% costlier than a 12 months earlier, ATOR said. Operators famous a shift towards price range motels and flats as travellers sought to chop prices.

Limited infrastructure was one other issue. On ski resorts in Russia’s North Caucasus area throughout the New Year holidays, guests reportedly queued as much as half-hour for lifts to make quick runs.

One tour firm worker stated a five-day journey to the Arkhyz resort value practically 400,000 rubles (about $5,200) per particular person.

He stated that on a comparable every day foundation, a visit to Courchevel in France would have value the same quantity.

Sanatorium stays within the North Caucasus metropolis of Mineralnye Vody value about 17,000 rubles (round $221) per day per particular person in autumn excluding transport, he stated, whereas comparable remedy in Druskininkai, Lithuania, may value round 45 euros per day.

“At that price difference, people start thinking about traveling abroad, even if getting into the EU is complicated and expensive,” he stated.