In the first half of 2026, 2,700 tourism companies ceased operations in Russia. That is 52.3% more than in the same period of 2025, according to Kommersant. Market participants link the increase in closures to falling interest in domestic travel, difficulties in outbound destinations, and customers’ efforts to cut spending.
At the same time, the number of newly opened businesses is no longer enough to offset the exits. From January to June, the total number of operating tourism-sector organizations grew by only 0.84%. The newspaper says this is the lowest figure in the past three years.
Demand for domestic tourism weakened significantly. According to Travelata, the number of booked package tours within Russia fell by 31% in the first half of the year. The Sletat.ru service estimated the decline at 22%. Demand began to slide at the start of the year, but the downturn became especially noticeable in April and May.
Outbound travel did not make up for the decline. The share of foreign destinations in total hotel bookings rose by three percentage points to 19%, but the market did not see any substantial growth in sales of tours abroad.
Industry participants say tourists are increasingly choosing cheaper holiday options and shortening their trips. The average travel budget has almost stopped growing, and for some destinations it has even declined. This directly affects agencies’ revenues, since a significant share of their income comes from commissions on sold tours.
Another factor pushing companies out of the market was the broader economic environment, including higher taxes.