Newsletters
Türkiye has once again moved to the top of overseas travel plans for Russian tourists, as early bookings for the 2026 spring and summer season have surged to record levels. The sharp rise in advance reservations has reinforced the country’s position as the most preferred foreign destination, putting it well ahead of competing markets.
This growing momentum reflects a broader recovery in outbound travel demand from Russia, with Türkiye standing out due to a combination of accessibility, accommodation quality, and flight availability.
Industry data shows that early reservations for the 2026 season have nearly tripled compared with the previous year. Tour operators have indicated that this surge represents the highest level of advance demand recorded since the pandemic period, pointing to a strong rebound in international travel confidence.
Alongside tour bookings, hotel and accommodation reservations have also picked up pace. By the end of the year, reservation volumes in this segment were reported to be close to doubling year on year, underlining the depth of demand rather than a short-term spike.
According to tourism sector assessments, expanded flight options between Russia and Türkiye have played a decisive role in shaping travel choices for 2026. These improved connections, combined with high accommodation standards, have encouraged Russian travelers to lock in their holiday plans earlier than usual.
Tour operators have noted that these factors have helped shift travel routes decisively toward Türkiye, especially for the peak spring and summer months, when demand traditionally intensifies.
Türkiye’s dominance is also reflected in recent visitor data. In the first eleven months of 2025, the number of Russian tourists visiting the country reached 6.67 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 2.6%.
This steady rise has strengthened expectations that Türkiye will remain the top overseas destination for Russian travelers in the coming season.
Set as preferred source
2 min read
