Forget Crowded Resorts: Why Russians Are Booking Sleep, Solo, and Dental Trips

When you think of tourism in Russia, the mind might wander to Moscow’s Red Square or a Black Sea beach. But according to Alexei Volkov, president of the National Union of the Hospitality Industry, the fastest-growing trips are far more specific. Speaking to RIA Novosti from Krasnodar on May 30, Volkov named sleep tourism, solo travel, and medical getaways—particularly dental tourism—as the country’s hottest niche markets. Wellness and longevity-focused travel are also drawing increasing interest from Russian citizens.

So where are people going? The Golden Ring regions and the Moscow suburbs lead the pack, but remote areas are also booming. Think Khakassia, Tuva, Altai Krai, and Krasnoyarsk Krai. For those seeking Arctic adventures or eco-tourism, the frontrunners are Karelia, Murmansk Oblast, Komi, Buryatia, and Kamchatka.

What exactly is niche tourism? It’s travel designed for a specific audience, built around particular interests or needs—the opposite of mass-market package holidays. Whether you want to check into a hotel solely to sleep undisturbed, explore a new city alone, or fix your smile while enjoying a change of scenery, these specialized trips are reshaping how Russians vacation.