Turkey Becomes the Reservation Leader for Russian Tourists' May Holiday

According to data from the Russian Tourism Industry Union, Turkey maintained its leadership in international reservations for the May 2026 holiday with a 53 percent share, following developments in the Middle East.

Effects of the Middle East Crisis

Developments in the Middle East led to a radical shift in tourism preferences. With the region largely closing, Turkey, Egypt, and China emerged as prominent destinations for international reservations for the May holiday. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern destinations completely dropped off tourist lists due to the ongoing crises.

Reservation Rates and Egypt's Rise

While Turkey maintained its leadership with a 53 percent share, Egypt placed second with 22 percent. Intourist data revealed that demand specifically for the Red Sea region increased by 188 percent within a year.

Budget-Friendly and Luxury Alternatives

Resort Holiday Marketing Director Irina Taku stated that Egypt cannot fully serve as an alternative to the United Arab Emirates, but stands out with affordable holiday options. According to Taku, while Egypt and Vietnam rank among budget-friendly destinations, the Maldives became the strongest alternative in the luxury segment.

Holiday Costs and Prices

It was stated that a two-person holiday in Egypt starts at approximately 2,140 dollars including flights, this figure is around 1,670 dollars in Turkey, and reaches at least 4,160 dollars in the Maldives.

Price Increases and Analyst Evaluations

Tourism market analyst Igor Blinov confirmed that Turkey received more than half of the reservations while drawing attention to price increases. Blinov emphasized that prices across different destinations have risen by at least 10-15 percent this season.

Periods of the May Holiday

The division of this year's May holiday in Russia into two separate three-day periods, May 1-3 and May 9-11, was also cited among the factors affecting reservation mobility.