Stronger Ruble Slashes Prices on Asian Holidays for Russian Travelers

Russian tourists are finding better deals on trips to Asia, thanks to a strengthening ruble that has driven down package costs, particularly for China and Thailand. According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), foreign tour prices dropped by an average of 9% during the week of May 18–24. The biggest savings were in Asia: Thailand saw a 17.8% decline, China tours fell 16%, and Vietnam was down 6.5%. By comparison, Turkey and Egypt became cheaper by 5.3% and 1.5–2%, respectively. However, the price drop in Turkey only applied to budget options, while Asian destinations benefited more from the currency shift and a seasonal dip in demand. ATOR advises travelers not to expect further major reductions, noting that tour sales have surged 30–90% in the past few days as buyers move to lock in the lower rates. This price reprieve comes as Russians also eye popular June getaways, including Belarus, Turkey, Abkhazia, Georgia, Armenia, Italy, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Japan, and Thailand—with Asia now offering an even more attractive value proposition.