Russian travelers are showing a record-breaking appetite for warm-weather holidays this New Year, with demand for overseas destinations doubling compared to last year, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).
The top five most popular destinations among Russian tourists are the UAE, Thailand, Egypt, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, which together account for the majority of all New Year travel bookings. The UAE leads with 21–29% of total sales, followed by Thailand (16–25%) and Egypt (16–23%).
Tour operators report a dramatic surge in demand for Vietnam, which entered the top five for the first time. Bookings have increased fivefold, driven by new charter programs to Nha Trang and Phu Quoc.
“Vietnam and Thailand are currently the leaders in New Year’s demand, accounting for the bulk of sales,” the press service of Anex told ATOR Bulletin, noting that Vietnam represents 34% of total beach destination bookings.
Egypt has also seen exceptional growth — up 3–6 times — due to competitive pricing, an extensive range of all-inclusive hotels, and expanded flight programs. Thailand, meanwhile, benefits from direct flights from many Russian cities, boosting bookings by three to five times.
The UAE remains the best-connected destination, with Space Travel experts saying its top ranking is “expected, as it offers the widest hotel base and reliable air access.”
Beyond the top five, Turkey, the Maldives, Cuba, China, and Bali round out the top ten. Tour operators warn that by December, flights and hotel rooms in leading destinations will be nearly sold out, marking one of the busiest New Year seasons on record for Russian travelers.
