Most Russians can’t afford vacations. They can afford weekend trips.

Russians cannot afford to take a vacation even within the country. The Moscow Times reports that this summer, up to 80 percent of citizens will not be able to afford a vacation in the Russian Federation. Due to high prices in seaside resorts and restrictions imposed by other European countries, tourists from Russia most often choose short, weekend trips to the regions closest to their place of residence.

Holidays not for Russians

Holiday prices in Russia are breaking records, but citizens of this country are able to spend less and less on vacation. According to The Moscow Times, 80 percent of residents of the Russian Federation will spend just 15 thousand rubles (about 660 zlotys) on vacation this year, while the cost of a week’s vacation in seaside resorts is more than four times more (about 70 thousand rubles per person). Family vacation prices are even higher. “The cost of a 14-day vacation for two people with a small child in a modern hotel with meals on the Black Sea coast this year reached 300 thousand rubles, and on the Azov coast – 250 thousand,” we read. It is no wonder that Russians are planning only short, two-day trips, most often in the vicinity of their places of residence.

Hotels are too expensive

Tourists are primarily discouraged by hotel prices. The director of the Municipal Economy Department appealed to their owners. Olga Zakharova called on the tourism industry to increase the availability of rooms in the low and medium price category, which more residents will be able to afford. Not only accommodation is more expensive, but also local flights. In such a huge country as Russia, they are the basis of passenger transport. “Most compatriots spend their holidays without leaving the country. The most popular destinations remain Krasnodar and Sochi, the Far East was chosen by 29% of Russians, the Arctic by 21%, and another 19% went on vacation to Siberia,” Zakharova reported.