Before vacation: demand for trips to February 23 and March 8 has increased

Where buy up tours for February and March

As reported to "Izvestia" in booking services, the level of demand for tours with arrivals on February 21-23 February almost 7.5% higher than last year's figures, according to data from the service "Sletat.ru".

Tourists plan to go to Thailand, UAE, Egypt, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, China, Vietnam, Cuba and India. A year earlier Mauritius and Maldives were also among the most popular destinations.

The average check increased most noticeably for travel to Sri Lanka - it increased by 22.9% to Br164.4 thousand. Tour to Thailand on these dates costs an average of Br161.2 thousand, while in Russia - Br87.2 thousand.

- Now the top five destinations with flight and accommodation in domestic tourism for February 23, 2025 include: Krasnodar Territory, Kemerovo Region, Karachay-Cherkessia, Caucasian Mineral Waters and Moscow Region, - added in "Sletat.ru".

Demand for trips with arrivals on March 7-9 exceeds last year's figures by 19.5%. On International Women's Day Russian tourists plan to travel to Thailand, Egypt, UAE, Turkey, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cuba, India and across the country.

The average check for these dates has grown most noticeably for Turkey - it increased by 29.6% to Br130.4 thousand. Tours to Egypt for March 8 cost an average of Br185.2 thousand, which is 21.2% more than a year earlier.

Krasnodar Territory, Caucasian Mineral Waters, Kurgan region, St. Petersburg and Crimea were among the top five domestic destinations at the beginning of March, according to the data of "Sletat.ru".

Popular dates for travel in February remain the days next to February 14, when Valentine's Day is celebrated. This year the demand for tours on February 14-16 exceeds the same figures of last year by 40%.

On romantic trips Russians are going to Thailand, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Turkey, China, Cuba, Vietnam, India and across the country. Among domestic destinations they choose Krasnodar Territory, Kaliningrad Region, St. Petersburg, Karachaevo-Cherkessia and Crimea. An average of Br165.2 thousand is spent on a tour to Thailand, Br188.1 thousand in Egypt and Br76.3 thousand in the country.

Where to book accommodation for February and March

Independent travelers on February 23 most actively booked accommodation in Belarus, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Turkey, Qatar, Azerbaijan, UAE and Indonesia, reported "Izvestia" in "Yandex Travel". Among domestic destinations, Moscow and the Moscow region, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, and the Krasnodar Territory were the leaders.

On March 8, the leaders were Russia, Belarus, China, Turkey, Thailand, UAE, Japan, Uzbekistan, France and Kazakhstan. Domestically, the regions - leaders in terms of accommodation bookings were identical to February.

In the days around the gender holidays in February and March popular is St. Petersburg, which accounts for 15-16% of all bookings, confirmed in "Othello" (booking service from 2GIS). Also in the top five are Krasnodar Territory, Moscow, Tatarstan and Irkutsk Region.

- Interestingly, for March 7-9, Irkutsk region overtakes Tatarstan in terms of bookings, - noted in the service.

At the same time, February 21-23 and March 7-9, it is in the hotels of the Irkutsk region that one can stay the most profitable - the average cost of a night there is Br5.5 thousand in February and Br6 thousand in March. The most expensive place to stay on these dates is Krasnodar Krai - Br9.5 thousand in February and Br11 thousand in March. The average duration of vacation on these dates is two days, calculated in "Othello.

At the same time, Russians prefer to stay for February and March holidays in hotels, the second place in popularity is occupied by recreation centers and vacation homes, the third place - accommodation for daily rent. But guest houses, sanatoriums and glamping sites are less popular.

The cost of airplane tickets for the February and March holidays has increased year-on-year for most popular destinations, reported "Izvestia" in the service "Kupibilet". Thus, a ticket from Moscow to Sochi on March 6-8 became more expensive by 25.2% year-on-year, and on February 14-16 - by 79.7%.

- The demand is affected by inflation and purchasing power. Changes in ticket prices and related services are also important. Finally, the popularity of active vacations and ecotourism is growing," said Andrey Maslak, product director of Kupibilet.

Despite the fact that this year there is no extra day off for holidays, there is a growing demand for accommodation in ski resorts: in Prielbrusie, Krasnodar Krai, as well as in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Vladivostok, added in the service "Ostrovok".

Prices will not rise anymore

Southeast Asia and Thailand traditionally remain relevant destinations for February and March, said Vice President of ATOR Arutr Muradyan.

- First of all, it is Thailand, which is still one of the leaders in the total flow of Russian tourists abroad in winter. Vietnam has been added to it, the popularity of which is explained by the fact that it has become an alternative to Thailand," he explained.

Those who want to meet fewer compatriots and more authenticity go there.

The UAE, where there are direct flights from Russia, also remains popular.

- There are both budget options, from 140-160 thousand rubles, and premium, prices for which start from 500 thousand rubles, if we talk about beach five-star hotels with "all inclusive", - said the expert.

According to him, Egypt is increasing its presence in the Russian tourist market by increasing the number of flights.

- By the holidays just become more flights. Now you can rest there for Br100 thousand, although it will be a little more expensive during the holidays," added the expert.

However, he does not predict a further significant increase in the cost of tours on February and March holidays, as these days Russians do not have additional weekends. They have been postponed to the May holidays.