Russians Are Turning to Homegrown Hotel-Booking Platforms
Three years after global travel giants left the market, Russian digital booking services now dominate domestic tourism.
Russian hotel-booking platforms have fully captured the country’s travel market, according to Alexander Bragin, head of the Association of Travel Aggregators, speaking at the FTT Forum 2025. He said Russia now has a healthy level of competition, with local services rivaling international leaders in both functionality and popularity. Continued investment, he added, will help expand these platforms’ features and improve the user experience.
The Rise of Independent Travelers
Roughly 70–80% of Russian tourists now plan their vacations independently, without travel agencies, and over half book accommodations through Russian digital aggregators. Modern tools make it easier to research destinations, plan trips, and explore cultural landmarks in advance.
To complement this shift, Russia recently launched the Visit Russia mobile app for international tourists — a guide to attractions, travel routes, and cultural sites across the country.
