Almost a third of tourists from Europe think about a trip to Russia in the next two years

Almost a third of European tourists, or 29%, thinks about visiting Russia in the next two years, while 71% of citizens have never been to Russia, it is follows from a survey conducted by the analytical center of NAFI.

The survey, which took place at the end of 2019, was attended by residents of 27 European countries with the highest rates of outbound tourism. The sample size was 2,1 thousand respondents, at least 100 people were interviewed in each regional group.

According to the study, 29% of respondents at least were once in Russia. Almost half of European tourists who have previously visited the country (49%) are residents of the countries of the former Soviet Union. Less tourists (22%) from the south and west of Europe want to visit the Russian Federation.

Residents of Western Europe consider Russia for holiday less often than all other Europeans. Only 22% of them think about a trip to the country in the next year or two. Most often, a trip to Russia is planned by residents of the closest post-Soviet (48%) and Eastern European countries (37%).

According to the survey, 90% of those respondents who were already in Russia were satisfied with the trip.

As NAFI stressed, among the main reasons why European tourists do not want to go to Russia are high prices (20% of respondents), the choice in favor of more interesting destinations (17%), and the long road of travel (15%). The political situation excites more the closest neighbors – the residents of post-Soviet countries (9%).