Published on February 9, 2026
Russian outbound tourism has surged in 2025, with a 16% rise in trips to popular tourist destinations compared with the previous year. According to statistics from the Association of Tour Operators of Russia-ATOR-online, citing data by the FSB Border Guard Service, this is a big step towards the recovery of international tourism: a sign that Russia turns to traveling to different parts of the world again.
This surge is expected to drive tourism growth in countries like Vietnam, Egypt, China, South Korea, the Maldives, Indonesia, Abkhazia, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Turkey, which all saw the influx of Russian visitors. Growing inflows of Russian travelers underpin some tourism markets and boost the local economies, while improving cultural exchange between Russia and its key tourism partners.

Japan’s Phenomenal Growth Drives Tourism Surge

Among the most remarkable statistics in 2025 was the 96.3% growth in Russian visitors to Japan, with approximately 200,000 Russians visiting the country, setting an absolute record. The dramatic rise in Russian tourists to Japan is expected to significantly boost tourism growth in both countries. Japan’s unique cultural experiences, advanced tourism infrastructure, and proximity to Russia have made it a growing destination for Russian nationals. The rise in visits reflects a wider trend of tourism diversification, with Russian travelers increasingly seeking new cultural destinations beyond traditional European and tropical spots.
The growth in Russian visitors to Japan not only increases tourism spending in the country but also signals a broader trend in Asia’s tourism recovery, where destinations like Japan are seeing a surge in arrivals from Russian tourists eager to explore different regions. This contributes to tourism growth in Asia, offering an opportunity for increased cultural exchange, business collaboration, and more tourism-driven revenue.

Overall Growth in Russian Tourism and Its Impact on Global Travel

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In 2025, Russians made 2.77 million more trips abroad than in 2024, reflecting a broader tourism recovery and an increasing appetite for international travel. This growth signals an improving outlook for the global tourism industry, with Russia emerging as a significant contributor to the resurgence of global tourism. As Russian tourists explore long-haul destinations and opt for both traditional and emerging markets, this growth is expected to have a positive impact on local economies in both Europe and Asia.

Popular Destinations: Vietnam, Egypt, and Turkey Lead the Growth

Countries such as Vietnam, Egypt, China, and Turkey continue to dominate Russian travel preferences, with Vietnam and Turkey seeing a marked rise in visits. The surge in Russian visitors to these countries is likely to contribute significantly to tourism growth in the regions, especially in the Southeast Asia and Middle East markets. This increase is fueling economic recovery, helping local hospitality sectors thrive, supporting tourism-related jobs, and promoting destination development.

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Russia’s growing tourism interest in places like Egypt and Vietnam highlights a shift in Russian tourism preferences, with travelers seeking both beach resorts and cultural exploration. This diversification of tourism interests is likely to continue, spurring greater competition among countries to attract Russian visitors and further driving economic growth through tourism.

Future Tourism Impact: Sustained Growth and New Opportunities

The 16% growth in Russian outbound tourism in 2025 signals sustained demand for international travel, with Russian tourists eager to visit new destinations and rediscover traditional ones. This growth represents a significant opportunity for countries to capitalize on the expanding Russian market. Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and Japan are positioned to see continued increases in tourism-driven revenues, with both new infrastructure developments and enhanced travel experiences further catering to Russian preferences.
As Russian tourists continue to explore diverse regions, the tourism impact on countries’ economies will be long-lasting. The increase in Russian travelers offers growth opportunities for tourism agencies, local businesses, and government sectors eager to develop more targeted marketing strategies for this market.

A Bright Future for Russian Tourism and Global Economic Growth

This increment means that the number of Russian tourist trips abroad reached a record level in 2025, representing strong demand for countries such as Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and Japan; it was also an important milestone for global tourism growth. With further recovery and growth of Russian outbound tourism, countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East would benefit from higher tourism revenues, cultural exchanges, and local employment.
This will probably be the case as, in the future, Russian tourists are more likely to continue their explorations towards wider destinations that contribute to the tourism growth of both traditional and emerging markets. With the shifting trends in travel towards cultural exploration and luxury travel, such growth is set to play a pivotal role in the economic recovery of key tourism-dependent regions, thus securing a bright future for the global tourism industry.

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Tags: 2025 Russian tourist increase, Japan tourism growth 96.3%, Russian tourists 2025 destinations, Russian travel to Vietnam Egypt Turkey, Vietnam Egypt Turkey Russian tourists

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