MOSCOW, 27 September 2023. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a monitoring study on how and where the Russians spent their summer vacation.
Summer is over…
The findings show that 26% of the Russians spent their summer vacation at dachas. Over the recent five years, the number of the dacha-goers has not changed much, staying within 25–28%. They are typically older respondents aged 60+ (38%), those who live in one of the capitals (35%).
About a quarter of the Russians took a summer vacation or were on vacation but did not go anywhere staying at home (23%); over the year, the percentage of such respondents has decreased 1.5-fold (32% in 2022). The number of those who did not take a vacation has increased to 35% (vs 20-24% previously).
Thirteen percent of the Russians traveled across Russia this past summer; this group has been stable, as the percentage varies from 9% in 2020 to 16% last year. Another 8% say they went to the Krasnodar resorts (6-8% over the recent five years). Four percent of the Russians visited the Crimea (this share been stable since 2018).
The number of those who travel abroad does not exceed 3%; this share was 6-8% before the pandemic, smaller than 1% during the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 and 13% after lifting the COVID-19 restrictions. Last year’s international political situation had a huge impact on the number of travels abroad (2% in 2022); today the percentage is almost the same (3%).
Over the recent five years, satisfaction with summer vacation experiences has been growing: in 2018, 63% of the respondents were satisfied (vs 81% this year). Similarly, the number of those dissatisfied has halved (from 34% in 2018 to 15% in 2023). The form of summer vacation has an impact on satisfaction levels: those who managed to leave their home settlement had a better rest – most of those who are satisfied visited the Krasnodar resorts (91%), traveled across Russia (92%) and went to the Crimea (98%). Less satisfied respondents are those who spent their summer vacation at home (68%).
Mode of transportation
Most of the Russians who traveled anywhere for vacation this past summer went by car (49%). Remarkably, most of “car-goers” are those aged 25–44 (57–56%) and rural area residents (64%). Another popular mode of transportation is train (37%). Every fourth respondent chose traveling by air (26%). Buses are far less popular (14%); bicycle, motorcycle and water transport are least popular (1%, each).
Accommodation
The survey suggests that most of the respondents prefer to stay with relatives during their summer vacation trips (33%). This is followed by hotels (26%).
Accommodation for rent was popular among 18%; 11% opted for guest houses. Eight percent (in each group) chose “tents, tent camps” and “sanatoriums, recreation centers”. Another 7% said they stayed in their own accommodation.
In figures
The Russians say that the duration of vacation this past summer has been the shortest since 2019 (22 days). This is 8 days shorter than before (30 days in 2022); in recent four years, the Russians spent about 28-33 days on their summer vacation. Women took a longer vacation (23 days vs 20 days among men). Longer vacation was also typical of the residents of the North-Western and Far-Eastern districts (27 and 28 days).
Costs of summer vacation have grown by 24,553 rub (+63%; this year an average amount of money per one family member has been 63,158 rub. (38,605 rub in 2022).
Men spent more money on vacation (66,728 rub on average) than women (60,926 rub). Household income is also a crucial factor: those with high income mentioned 80,224 rub, whereas those with low income pointed to 64,575 rub. Metropolitan residents spent more money on their summer vacation than rural area inhabitants (88,310 rub vs 44,433 rub, respectively).
Abroad or domestically
The top three destinations within Russia are St Petersburg and Leningrad oblast (10%), Kazan and Republic of Tatarstan (8%), as well as Moscow and Novosibirsk (7% each). Other destinations include Krasnodar (6%), Nizhny Novgorod, Stavropol (5%, each), Bashkortostan, Altai, Ulyanovsk oblast, Perm krai, Tver oblast (4%, each). Three percent of the respondents (in each group) mentioned Dagestan, Yekaterinburg, Volgograd, Chelyabinsk, Belgorod, Irkutsk, Kaliningrad, Vladivostok, Yaroslavl and Elbrus.
Those Russians who spent their vacation abroad (3%) opted for Turkey (17%), Abkhazia (14%), United Arab Emirates (12%), Thailand (7%). Ten percent went to Belarus.
2023 summer vacation trends
Summer vacation key trends are as follows:
- This past summer the Russians worked more than in any previous year over the recent five years. The increase is due to a decline in the number of those who spend their vacation at home: the share of dacha-goers and domestic travelers have not decreased.
- This summer vacation was the shortest in five years.
- Satisfaction with summer vacation is growing, hitting its high over the recent five years.
- Car is the most popular mode of transportation to get to the destination; every second Russian traveler goes by car. The most popular vacation strategy for the Russians is to travel by car and stay with relatives. But those who visit resorts choose hotels.
- Foreign travels are not in demand; over the year the percentage of such travelers has not changed. At the same time, more Russians show interest in Russian resorts, especially the Crimea.
- Domestic destinations are numerous; they include not only southern locations, but also the eastern part of Russia, Far East, Siberia and North.
- Advantages of traveling within Russia, according to those who travel domestically are nature, climate, high-quality service, comfort and safety, positive perceptions, and cultural component. Costs are a disadvantage.
VCIOM-Sputnik all-Russian telephone survey was conducted 16 September, 2023. A total of 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interviews, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted for socio-demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Key effectiveness indicators, survey of 16 September, 2023: cooperation rate (CR)* = 0.7861; minimum response rate (MRR)** = 0.0152; response rate (RR)*** = 0.0891.
Let’s talk about how you spent your summertime. Where did you have a rest? I’ll read out the options; please mark any that apply Close-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents | ||||||
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 202. | 2023 |
I didn’t have a rest; I didn’t take a vacation | 22 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 35 |
Dacha, garden plot | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 26 |
On holiday, on vacation, but staying at home, doing my thing | 32 | 33 | 37 | 21 | 33 | 23 |
Another Russian city, rural area | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 13 |
Krasnodar resorts (Sohi, Anapa, Tuapse, etc.) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Crimea | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Abroad, another country | 6 | 8 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 3 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Let’s talk about how you spent your summertime. Where did you have a rest? I’ll read out the options; please mark any that apply Close-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents | |||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
|
I didn’t have a rest; I didn’t take a vacation | 35 | 43 | 28 | 32 | 43 | 32 | 39 | 29 |
|
Dacha, garden plot | 26 | 19 | 31 | 23 | 14 | 21 | 24 | 38 |
|
On holiday, on vacation, but staying at home, doing my thing | 23 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 26 |
|
Another Russian city, rural area | 13 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 8 |
|
Krasnodar resorts (Sohi, Anapa, Tuapse, etc.) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 3 |
|
Crimea | 4 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
|
Abroad, another country | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
|
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
|
Let’s talk about how you spent your summertime. Where did you have a rest? I’ll read out the options; please mark any that apply Close-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents | |||||
| Total | Very good, good financial situation | Average income | Very bad, bad financial situation |
|
I didn’t have a rest; I didn’t take a vacation | 35 | 28 | 33 | 50 |
|
Dacha, garden plot | 26 | 27 | 28 | 17 |
|
On holiday, on vacation, but staying at home, doing my thing | 23 | 21 | 25 | 18 |
|
Another Russian city, rural area | 13 | 17 | 12 | 9 |
|
Krasnodar resorts (Sohi, Anapa, Tuapse, etc.) | 8 | 12 | 7 | 6 |
|
Crimea | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
|
Abroad, another country | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
|
Don’t know | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
|
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way how you spent your summer vacation? Close-ended question, one answer, % of those who had a rest this past summer | |||||
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2023 |
Yes | 63 | 71 | 71 | 75 | 81 |
No | 34 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 15 |
Don’t know | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way how you spent your summer vacation? Close-ended question, one answer - of those who had a rest this past summer | |||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
|
Yes | 81 | 81 | 81 | 92 | 84 | 77 | 81 | 78 |
|
No | 15 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 16 | 14 |
|
Don’t know | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
|
How did you get to your destination? All possible answers can be chosen close-ended question any number of answers, % of those who had a rest this past summer traveling somewhere | |||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
|
By car | 49 | 46 | 51 | 42 | 57 | 56 | 46 | 37 |
|
By train | 37 | 29 | 42 | 52 | 32 | 29 | 44 | 37 |
|
By plane | 26 | 29 | 24 | 22 | 30 | 33 | 26 | 11 |
|
By bus | 14 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 31 |
|
Water transport | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | <1 | 4 | 1 |
|
Bicycle, motorcycle | 1 | 2 | <1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | <1 | <1 |
|
Hitch-hiking | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
|
Other | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
|
Where were you staying during your summer holiday? Close-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who had a rest this past summer traveling somewhere | ||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Staying with my relatives / family /friends | 33 | 25 | 38 | 51 | 33 | 25 | 29 | 41 |
Hotel | 26 | 30 | 24 | 14 | 27 | 27 | 31 | 24 |
Accommodation for rent | 18 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 3 |
Guest house | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 8 | 11 |
Tent / tented camp | 8 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 2 |
Sanatorium, recreation center | 8 | 9 | 7 | <1 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 15 |
My own house | 7 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 |
Hostel | 2 | 1 | 2 | <1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | <1 |
Camper van | <1 | 1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | 1 | <1 | <1 |
Other | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 11 |
Don’t know / refusal to answer | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
How many days did your summer holiday last? Close-ended question, one answer, % of those who traveled somewhere this past summer | |||||
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Average | 28 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 22 |
You are saying that you had a rest in another city/rural are in Russia. What city/settlement did you visit? Please mention all the places you visited. Open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of those who traveled to “another Russian city, rural area settlement”) | |
St Petersburg / Leningrad oblast | 10 |
Kazan / Republic of Tatarstan | 8 |
Moscow / Moscow oblast | 7 |
Novosibirsk oblast / Novosibirsk | 7 |
Krasnodar / Krasnodar krai | 6 |
Nizhny Novgorod / Nizhny Novgorod Oblast | 5 |
Stavropol krai | 5 |
Bashkortostan / Ufa | 4 |
Ulyanovsk / Ulyanovsk oblast | 4 |
Altai / Altai krai | 4 |
Perm krai / Perm | 4 |
Tver / Tver oblast | 4 |
Kaspiysk / Republic of Dagestan | 3 |
Sverdlovsk oblast / Yekaterinburg | 3 |
Volgograd / Volgograd oblast | 3 |
Chelyabinsk / Chelyabinsk oblast | 3 |
Belgorod / Belgorod oblast | 3 |
Irkutsk / Irkutsk oblast | 3 |
Kaliningrad / Kaliningrad oblast | 3 |
Vladivostok / Primorsky krai | 3 |
Yaroslavl / Yaroslavl oblast | 3 |
Elbrus | 2 |
Grozny / Chechen republic | 2 |
Krasnoyarsk / Krasnoyarsk krai | 2 |
Izhevsk | 2 |
Ulan-Ude / Republic of Buryatia | 2 |
Tula / Tula oblast | 2 |
Belokurikha | 2 |
Gorno-Altaysk | 2 |
Kareliya | 2 |
Kemerovo / Kemerovo oblast | 2 |
Republic of Sakha (Yakitiya) | 2 |
Rostov-on-Don / Rostov oblast | 2 |
Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District – Yugra | 2 |
Tyumen / Tyumen oblast | 2 |
Karachaevo-Cherkessiya | 2 |
Mineralnye Vody | 2 |
Other | 12 |
Don’t know | 2 |
You are saying that you spent your summertime abroad, in another country. What country did you visit? Open-ended question up to 5 answers, % of those who had a rest abroad | |
Turkey | 17 |
Abkhazia | 14 |
United Arab Emirates | 12 |
Belarus | 10 |
Thailand | 7 |
Georgia | 5 |
Kirghizia | 3 |
Other | 31 |
Don’t know | 12 |