“Türkiye is the first stop for luxury holidays”

Common view of tourism sector representatives:

“Türkiye is the first stop for those who want to have a luxury holiday.”

ATOR Vice President Artur Muradyan stated that it is a luxury for Russians to have a holiday in Türkiye under good conditions. Russians are especially prominent in this regard and they are not giving up on Türkiye.

Another opinion is this:

"Those who want to go cheap just go; if they want good service, they have to pay much more. If they want a quality holiday, it is not cheap."

Türkiye also stands out as the country that best implements the all-inclusive system.

According to the Association of Russian Tour Operators (ATOR), demand for China in particular is at a record level: While 1.95 million Russian tourists visited China in 2024, this number is expected to rise to 3 million this year.

The recent strengthening of the ruble has directly affected Russian tourists' demand for holidays abroad.

The number of Russian tourists traveling abroad during the May holiday season is expected to increase by 30 percent compared to last year. The rise in new destinations such as Vietnam and China, the increase in the number of flights and the stability of the ruble were the determining factors in this increase.

According to the Association of Russian Tour Operators (ATOR), demand for China in particular is at a record level: While 1.95 million Russian tourists visited China in 2024, this number is expected to rise to 3 million this year.

But prices are no longer what they used to be. According to ATOR Vice President Artur Muradyan, a good one-week holiday in Turkey costs 500,000 rubles for a couple, or about $5,000. This price is rising not only because of the hotel but also because of the flights.

For those looking for a more modest option, alternatives like Vietnam stand out, according to Izvetsiya, where hotel accommodations cost between $20 and $50 per day, while restaurant prices are about the same as a glass of wine in Dubai: $20 to $25 per person.

Still, it is not “everyone’s right” to have a holiday abroad. Because the price increases within the country are not lagging behind. While nightly prices in some hotels in Crimea reach 30-50 thousand rubles, it is becoming difficult for a three-star hotel to compete with its counterpart in Antalya.

Despite this, Turkey is still the most popular destination. However, it is no longer easy to find a Türkiye holiday that suits every budget. Muradyan said, “Those who want to go cheaply will just go; those who want good service now have to pay much more.”

Tour operators are still hopeful. The stable ruble, rising wages and affordable prices in Asia are giving Russians a better chance of getting clean beaches and quieter hotels this summer. Experts say that if airline prices don’t rise too much, a holiday abroad could be within reach for many Russians again in summer 2025.