(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) – About 2,700 tourism companies in Russia closed down in the first half of 2026, according to Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service. The figure marks a jump of more than 52 percent compared to the same period a year earlier.
The data points to a sharp contraction in the Russian travel market. Demand for package tours fell by 22 to 31 percent over the past year, the intelligence agency said. Many companies could not survive the fall in customer numbers. Russians are travelling less often, cutting holidays short, choosing cheaper options and avoiding travel agents altogether.
The industry is being hit from several sides. Operating costs are rising, air links remain disrupted, airports face regular problems and fuel is in short supply. The intelligence report stated that these pressures have combined to force thousands of operators out of business.
Domestic tourism has not made up for the losses. Hotel bookings across Russia dropped by 12 to 15 percent compared to last year. In occupied Crimea, the situation was described as particularly weak. Moscow had expected a busy tourist season, but those hopes did not materialise. The Russian government was forced to set aside 4.3 billion roubles (about $43.9 million, £34.5 million or €40.1 million) in subsidies and compensation for workers at 4,600 businesses on the peninsula. The intelligence agency noted that for most local holiday sites the tourist season ended before it could even begin.
Travel has fallen well down the list of spending priorities for Russian households. The intelligence report said nearly half of the average family budget now goes on food. What remains is used for medicine, clothing, utility bills and other essential needs. Tourism simply no longer fits into most household calculations.