Russian outbound tourism is rebounding strongly despite global political isolation over the Ukraine war. With billions spent abroad, travelers from Russia and Ukraine now share holidays in neutral destinations like Thailand and the UAE, raising questions about tourism’s surprising role as a bridge for dialogue and peace.
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Despite widespread global condemnation of Moscow over its war against Ukraine, Russia’s outbound tourism market is showing surprising resilience — and even growth — highlighting tourism’s complex role in geopolitics, economics, and human connection.
New data shows Russians spent nearly $49.7 billion on foreign travel in 2025, close to a historic record, as a stronger ruble and expanding flight routes fueled a surge in overseas trips.
For destinations willing to welcome them, Russian travelers remain an important source market — even as the conflict continues to reshape aviation, diplomacy, and travel flows worldwide.
A Market That Refuses to Collapse
Russia’s travel sector was widely expected to contract due to sanctions, restricted airspace, and financial constraints. Instead, outbound tourism has rebounded steadily.
According to Central Bank figures and border service data:
- Russians made 31.5 million international trips in 2025, up 8% year-on-year.
- Outbound tourist trips rose 15.6% to 13.4 million.
- Popular destinations included Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, China, and Thailand.
Industry analysts say several factors explain the resilience:
- A stronger ruble increased purchasing power abroad.
- Alternative flight corridors via the Middle East and Asia helped bypass European airspace restrictions.
- Rising domestic prices made foreign holidays comparatively attractive.
Even before 2025, outbound tourism had begun to recover, with Russian international trips rising significantly year over year after pandemic lows.
The result is a tourism market adapting — not disappearing — under geopolitical pressure.
New Geography of Russian Travel
With most of Europe politically and logistically difficult to access, Russian outbound tourism has shifted east and south.
Mass destinations such as Turkey, UAE, Egypt, China, Vietnam, and Thailand dominate the market, accounting for the majority of demand. Dubai’s luxury malls, Thai beach resorts, and Egyptian Red Sea hotels have become meeting points where geopolitics fades into the background — at least temporarily.
Hotels in Phuket or Dubai now often host a mix of travelers from Russia, Ukraine, and Western Europe. While the war continues to create deep political divisions, tourism professionals report that guests frequently interact normally — sharing excursions, dining spaces, and experiences.
In many resorts, conversations about politics are avoided, replaced by the universal language of holidays: families on the beach, nightlife scenes, or wellness retreats.
Tourism as an Unexpected Driver of Peace
The coexistence of Russian and Ukrainian travelers in neutral destinations such as Thailand or the UAE creates a paradox: while a deadly war continues at home, individuals from both nations often share the same spaces abroad.
Tour operators say these encounters can be surprisingly peaceful.
- Mixed-language tours in Southeast Asia are increasingly attracting participants from both countries.
- Shared flights via hubs like Dubai or Istanbul bring travelers together despite political divides.
Tourism researchers argue that such interactions — informal, human-to-human contact — can soften perceptions shaped by propaganda and war narratives.
For many travelers, a vacation abroad represents a rare escape from constant news about conflict and destruction.
The Ethical Dilemma for Destinations
Welcoming Russian tourists is not without controversy.
Many governments continue to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, and some destinations face political pressure over visa policies or financial access. The war has also caused travel disruptions, including flight delays linked to drone attacks or security risks. At the same time, tourism economies rely on visitor spending.
Countries in the Middle East and Asia have largely adopted pragmatic approaches:
- Maintaining neutrality while prioritizing tourism revenue.
- Adjusting payment systems and visa procedures to accommodate travelers affected by sanctions.
For destinations recovering from the pandemic, Russian tourists often represent high-spending, long-stay visitors — an economic reality that can outweigh political sensitivities.
Why Russians Continue to Travel Abroad
Several structural factors are driving the outbound boom:
- Cost Comparisons
Rising prices and infrastructure challenges at home make overseas holidays competitive in price. - New Connectivity
Expanded transit routes through China and Middle Eastern hubs have restored access to global destinations. - Psychological Escape
Travel offers a temporary refuge from domestic stress, uncertainty, and war-related tension.
The shift mirrors a broader global trend: travelers increasingly seek destinations that remain open, visa-friendly, and politically neutral.
A Tourism Industry Navigating War Realities
VisitRussia.com: Travel to Russia, Russian Tours and Vacation Packages.
VisitRussia features information on Russian tours, local sightseeings and activities as well as information on the most popular Russian cities.
While outbound tourism is booming, the broader picture remains complicated.
Russia’s overseas spending has widened the country’s travel services deficit and contributed to a shrinking current account surplus. Meanwhile, the ongoing war continues to dominate global headlines, shaping aviation routes, insurance costs, and perceptions of safety.
Some destinations remain cautious, while others view tourism as a bridge rather than a barrier — a way to maintain dialogue between societies even when governments clash.
Can Tourism Help Build Peace?
The coexistence of Russian and Ukrainian travelers abroad raises a pressing question for the global tourism community: can travel help maintain human connections during times of conflict?
Tourism alone cannot end a war. Yet it can provide something rare in geopolitics — spaces where ordinary people meet without ideology, where conversations replace headlines, and where shared experiences remind travelers of their common humanity.
In beach resorts in Phuket or luxury hotels in Dubai, the reality of tourism today reflects a world both divided and interconnected: a reminder that even during conflict, travel continues — and sometimes, quietly, builds bridges.