Russian travelers are increasingly ready to pay for comfort in the air, according to an analytical study by the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR). Analysts examined the November schedule of 23 airlines operating direct flights from Moscow to 13 countries (21 destinations) and calculated the number of business-class seats, how quickly they sell out, and ticket prices. However, no specific ticket prices in rubles were provided in the source data, so no currency conversion is included.  

Azur air has confirmed the cancellation of its charter flight program to Pattaya from 10 Russian cities for the winter season 2026/2027. The airline's press service stated that the flight program has been adjusted at the request of tour operators. The strategic customer for these flights was tour operator Fun&Sun.  Travel agents now hope that Azur air's Pattaya programs will be restored, but with other tour operators.

Russian carrier Azur Air plans to operate flights from Moscow to five foreign resort destinations during the autumn-winter 2026/2027 schedule, a company representative told journalists. The route network will include Phuket and Pattaya in Thailand, Nha Trang in Vietnam, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and Male in the Maldives.

Egypt has become the most popular foreign destination for family trips during the autumn school holidays, overtaking Turkey, according to analysts at ATOR.  Thailand, China, Vietnam and the UAE are also in the top ranking, with demand for China growing fastest.  Russia’s main autumn school holidays fall in late October and early November.

In summer 2026, Thailand received 233,140 Russian visitors – a marginal 0.5% decrease compared to the record summer of 2025. While overall arrivals edged down slightly, the organised travel segment grew robustly (+13.5% in tour sales), and demand continued to shift toward premium hotels, northern destinations, wellness experiences and more diverse itineraries. Russian Travel Digest has compiled the most essential figures and noteworthy trends from the ATOR report to bring you a concise yet comprehensive overview of the Russian market in Thailand.

As follows from the data of the Onlinetours package tour booking service, in Russia, the average check for foreign tours in the first half of 2026 increased to 196,500 rubles ($2,500), or by 7% compared to the same period in 2025. The demand for trips abroad increased by 44%. Turkey remained the leader in terms of booking volume, accounting for 31% (compared to 35% in the first half of 2025). The average price for a vacation in this country increased by 14% to 226,900 rubles ($2,900).

The Moscow office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) released the latest tourist arrival statistics.

According to Rosaviatsia data presented in September and October 2025, Russia currently has direct air service to 41 countries. International passenger flights from Russia are operated by 21 Russian airlines and 65 foreign ones.

According to aggregated data from leading tour operators, the UAE, Thailand, Egypt, Vietnam and Sri Lanka are among the TOP-5 most booked foreign destinations for the New Year holidays.

Russians began to travel to Pattaya more often with their families: the resort's infrastructure has changed, and prices are still loyal. Tour operators expect a further increase in demand.

According to preliminary forecasts by ATOR analysts, this summer the volume of outbound tourist flow to popular foreign tourist destinations will grow by 24.8% year-on-year.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has issued an official summary of the situation in Bangkok following the March 28 earthquake northwest of Chiang Mai province.

The 47th session of the UNESCO Committee will be held in July 2025, where new sites will be selected for the World Heritage List.

Russian travelers made 14 million trips in 2023 ( with the exception of post-Soviet countries).

Compared to December, February shows a sharp increase in the share of tour sales to the UAE. The share of Egypt is growing, the share of sales of Russia and Thailand is stable.

Thailand could completely restore the volumes of Russian tourist flow lost during the pandemic and even slightly exceed them. Russia ranks fifth in terms of the number of tourists, and it is still the undisputed leader among non-Asian markets.

Tour operators have positive forecasts for 2024. Demand growth for Thailand will continue, if competitive prices from hoteliers and good transportation volumes remain at today’s level.

Travel agents drew attention to the appearance of low prices for tours to Thailand in January. The price reduction here by 20-30% is a short-term phenomenon, typical only for some departure dates and caused by a slight decrease in demand.

Turkey will account for a third of all Fun&Sun sales in 2024. In the second and third places in the list of the company’s key destinations are Egypt and the UAE.