Türkiye miles ahead as favorite spot for Russian tourists

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Türkiye was the most popular destination for Russian tourists in 2022, far ahead of any other country.

Some 5.3 million Russians visited Türkiye this year, according to Maya Lomidze, the executive director of Russia’s Association of Tour Operators.

Next on the list was the UAE with a significantly lower figure of 1 million, she said at a news conference in Moscow on Tuesday.

Another 850,000 to 900,000 Russians traveled to Egypt this year, while some 410,000 went to Thailand, she added.

For the New Year’s holidays, about 3 million Russians will travel inside the country and about 600,000 plan to go abroad, according to Lomidze.

Trips to Türkiye, Egypt, Thailand, and the UAE have been the most popular for the break, with much lower demand for tours to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, she said.