Italy Emerges as Top Choice for Russian Travelers During May Holidays

Italy has become the clear favorite for Russian tourists during the recent May holiday period, setting new demand records according to data from major travel operators. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reports that bookings for Italian trips surged dramatically, with some agencies seeing growth of up to three times compared to the same period last year.

One major operator, Russian Express, recorded a 213 percent increase in sales. Italy accounted for 1.7 percent of all May holiday bookings, with the average trip costing approximately 400,000 rubles. The PAC Group travel holding confirmed Italy's place among the top five destinations for May, noting that itineraries typically focus on city tours and sightseeing in Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence, often combined with visits to other European countries.

Industry analysts point to a consistent annual growth in interest toward Italy of around 20 percent since the pandemic. Travel agencies cite two primary factors driving this spike: a relatively stable ruble exchange rate and the continued availability of visas. However, the window for securing a visa for May travel has already closed for many; in Moscow, the next available appointment date for submissions was reportedly May 9th.

This trend aligns with broader visa application patterns. ATOR recently listed Italy, France, and Spain as the most sought-after countries for Schengen visas, though processing times at their respective consulates vary significantly.