Russia Sees Surge in Domestic Travel as 2026 Numbers Climb

Domestic tourism in Russia is on a steady upward trajectory, with new figures showing a significant jump in trips taken during the first four months of the year. According to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russians took more than 26.7 million tourist trips between January and April 2026. That marks a 7.28 percent increase over the same period in 2025.

Chernyshenko shared the data in an interview with RIA Novosti, highlighting the continued growth of the country’s internal travel market. The trend isn’t new—last year, Russians made roughly 92 million domestic trips in total, a 2.2 percent rise from 2024. The latest numbers suggest the pace is accelerating.

Industry observers attribute the uptick to a combination of factors, including improved infrastructure, competitive pricing for local resorts, and a growing preference for exploring destinations closer to home. From the Black Sea coast to the historic cities of the Golden Ring, more travelers are choosing Russian destinations over foreign alternatives.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which runs from June 3 to 6, has become a key platform for announcing such developments. With domestic travel now outpacing last year’s growth rate, the sector appears well-positioned for a strong summer season ahead.