Turkey and Egypt have become the most popular international tourist destinations for Russians this September, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), citing data from the organization’s analytical service and travel aggregator Sletat.ru.
The association reported, based on the results of tour sales in early autumn, that Turkey topped the list of countries with the most bookings, accounting for 40 percent of total bookings.
Egypt strengthened its position in second place, accounting for 17.7 percent of sales, while Russia rounded out the top three countries with 9.6 percent of total tourist flows.
The UAE ranked fourth with 9.2 percent, and Abkhazia rounded out the top five with 5.9 percent.
The top ten most popular countries also included Thailand, Vietnam, China, the Maldives, and Cuba.
Experts noted a significant increase in interest towards niche tourist destinations: the percentage of countries outside the top ten rose from 2.8 percent in September of last year to 3.9 percent this season.
According to ATOR analysts, this trend has continued since the end of 2024 and reflects Russian tourist’s desire for more diverse itineraries.
Despite Turkey’s stability, demand for Russian resorts has halved compared to the same period last year.
At the same time, Egypt and the Middle East are experiencing steady growth in popularity, and more remote destinations, such as the Maldives and Cuba, are gaining popularity among tourists who prefer an unconventional vacation.
The autumn tourist season in Russia is traditionally accompanied by price and demand adjustments. Meanwhile, beach resorts in Turkey and Egypt remain affordable and convenient in terms of logistics.
The growing interest in exotic routes shows that Russian tourists are becoming increasingly demanding of quality service and a variety of experiences.
