Italy Tops the List for Russian Travelers This May Holiday Season

When it comes to European getaways during the May holidays, Russian tourists are packing their bags for Italy. That’s according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), which released data on May 10. The sunny peninsula leads the pack, followed by France and Spain, which round out the top three most popular destinations for the long weekend break.

Tour operator PAC Group, cited by ATOR, notes that Italy is a year-round favorite, but spring travel picks up thanks to pleasant weather. This year, demand for Italy has jumped 23% across the market. Since 2022, bookings in the organized segment have been steadily climbing by 10% to 20% each year.

France is seeing a modest uptick of 5% to 7% in demand compared to last year. Spain, meanwhile, is holding steady at last year’s levels, though some companies report slight dips. A week-long city tour to Barcelona, including a flight via Baku and a three-star hotel with breakfast, starts at 180,000 rubles for two. For Paris, the same package runs from 245,000 rubles.

Rome remains a solid bet: a seven-night city trip with a flight from Moscow and three-star accommodations with breakfast begins at 190,000 rubles per couple. ATOR also highlights a growing trend: more travelers are turning to tour operators to plan their European trips, a shift that continues to gain momentum this year.