Solo Russian Travelers Skip Old Favorites for May Holidays

New data reveals a surprising shift in travel plans for single Russians next May. According to research from the booking service OneTwoTrip, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan—once popular post-Soviet destinations—have seen a sharp drop in interest from solo travelers for the 2026 holiday period.

The trend isn't isolated to Central Asia. Bookings have also fallen for solo trips to the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and France. Within Russia itself, regions like Irkutsk, Vologda, Novosibirsk, and Nizhny Novgorod, along with the Primorsky Krai, are receiving fewer reservations from independent travelers.

Analysts link the overall 15% decline in solo bookings directly to a shorter holiday calendar. With fewer days off, many are apparently reconsidering their plans. Despite the drop, the balance between domestic and international travel remains steady. For now, 55% of bookings are for Russian hotels, while 45% are for trips abroad.

The findings present a curious contrast. Just months ago, reports indicated record demand for tours to Uzbekistan for spring 2026, with some operators seeing an 80% surge. This suggests that while group travel to the region is booming, the preferences of those traveling alone are moving in a different direction entirely.