Working Russians Want Quiet Vacations—With One Non-Negotiable

Forget the old image of stressed-out professionals vanishing to the Maldives and switching off their phones. According to Maya Lomidze, head of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), today’s working Russians aged 25 to 45 are seeking a different kind of escape: peace and quiet, but with a reliable internet connection.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on June 4, Lomidze told RIA Novosti that the demand for total disconnection—a “wilderness without internet or communication”—is not widespread. Instead, travelers in this age bracket, who are employed and financially comfortable, want calm surroundings where they can still stay connected around the clock.

“They want tranquility, silence, but with properly working Wi-Fi,” Lomidze explained. “The target audience for this kind of request is tourists between 25 and 45—working people with means.”

This marks a clear shift from earlier travel habits. A decade ago, many of these same professionals would book a remote island resort and deliberately unplug for a week. Now, the ability to check emails, attend a video call, or simply scroll social media has become a standard expectation, even on a quiet getaway.

Lomidze’s comments came on the sidelines of SPIEF, which runs from June 3 to 6. RIA Novosti is the forum’s general information partner.