After spending 2 months at home in self-isolation, most Russians are planning to stay there for this year’s summer vacations as well, a recent survey revealed.

How did holiday plans of Russians change because of pandemic?

According to the recent survey by WCIOM.ru, most Russians will spend their summer vacations at home (61%). The poll was conducted in Russia on 17-18 May 2020.

People could pick several options, but it doesn’t look like too many people are planning to spend vacations in several places. In total, there are 122% of answers to this question, so only 22% of respondents or even less will be doing several things during their time off work, if it was scheduled.

• “Home” was always the most popular option, but last year it only scored 44%; it went up by 17% in 2020.
• The second most popular option is dacha (a summer home near the city where Russians traditionally grow berries and vegetables). The number of locals who will take this option this year is 5% higher than in 2019: 31%.
• 11% of respondents have plans to spend time in another town of Russia (9% in 2019).
• Fewer people are planning to travel to the Black Sea resorts (6% vs. 9% in 2019) and Crimea (5% vs. 6% in 2019).
• The share of people who plan to travel abroad to countries that weren’t part of the ex-USSR shrunk from 10% to only 3%.
• Only 1% think of going to a country of the ex-USSR for their summer holidays (2% in 2019).

Who do Russians opt not to travel?

Last year the lack of money was cited by over half of Russians as the reason why they are not traveling for a vacation. This year only 1 in 3 people said so, while 25% quoted the pandemic as the reason to stay home.

Among people whose holiday plans changed, 70% quoted the pandemic as the reason, while 10% mentioned also the closure of borders. 18% said it was because they had no money (people could give up to 3 answers).

Where would Russians prefer to have a vacation if they had enough money?

This question has been traditionally asked in this yearly monitoring, and having a holiday abroad always scored the top spot as the desirable option. This year the share of people dreaming of vacationing abroad dropped by 11%. It is still the most popular option with 28% of votes for this option.

The same share of respondents said they would like to go to Crimea: 28%. Crimea as the ideal option for a holiday also experienced a drop, albeit a smaller one: In 2019 31% of respondents pointed to the famous peninsula as their dream destination.

24% of survey participants would like to spend time on the Black Sea in Sochi or nearby (26% in 2019).

Last year only 12% of participants said their ideal place for a vacation is their home; this year already 1 in 5 people thinks so (20%).

Dacha became a more attractive place for summer holidays (12% vs. 9% last year), the same with other towns of Russia (17% vs. 13% last year).

Read also:

• Half of Russian travelers plan vacations at work
• Tourism in Russia: Where locals prefer to spend summer vacations
• Best Russian cities to visit
• Solo travel in Russia: Is it safe? What do people think about it?