Russian tourists flocked to Murmansk, Ossetia and Karachay-Cherkessia

A joke about resorts on the White Sea instead of the Black Sea won’t make anyone laugh anymore

Domestic tourism became a trend back in 2020, and in four years, Russians have managed to explore most popular destinations and are now looking for new unusual experiences. The classic “To the South, to Sochi” or “To St. Petersburg for the White Nights” won’t impress anyone: Russian tourists catch the northern lights in Murmansk and learn to bake pies in Ossetia. According to a study by one of the popular online travel booking services, demand for travel to these regions has increased by almost 400%.

March has only just begun, but forward-thinking Russians are already starting to plan and book their summer vacations. Of course, seaside resorts in Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory will not surprise anyone, but in 2024 tourists will be welcomed not only there. The leader in popularity this summer was the Murmansk region – the demand for tour bookings here increased by 389% compared to last year.

Russians are primarily drawn to this region by the northern lights, but trying to see them is like playing Russian roulette. The average duration of an excursion to the northern lights is 4 hours, and the average cost is 4,500-5,000 rubles per person: in search of the coveted green shine, guides travel almost throughout the region, and some even use tips from meteorologists who literally “guide” tourists on the radio . However, no one can give a guarantee – maybe you’ll be lucky, maybe not… The maximum that a conscientious guide can offer is a discount of about 20-30% in case of failure.

In winter, lovers of ski resorts also go to the Murmansk region, but there is a significant catch: a trip to the north in winter means encountering severe thirty-degree frosts, which require special preparation (for example, thermal underwear). But summer is an excellent opportunity to admire the beauties of the Russian North, but not to die. True, this direction cannot be called budget: the average cost of one night in the Murmansk region exceeds 7,800 rubles.

The next most popular region is North Ossetia: an increase in demand of 381% is recorded here. Although the trip will cost even more: 8,700 rubles per day. Next, with a small gap, is the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (+351%). There is also a growing interest among Russians in traveling to Karelia (+303%) and the Kamchatka Territory (+287%). The latter is traditionally the most expensive: from 8,900 rubles per day.

Moscow and the Moscow region with St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region also remain attractive destinations for summer holidays – this year hotels in the two capitals are booked more often by 234% and 214%, respectively.