Russians are dreaming to spend the summer abroad (29%) and at the Black Sea (26%), but they have to stay at home instead (55%). The reason is "no money" (57%).

MOSCOW, May 26, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information describing what places Russians would like to spend and places they have to spend their vacation this year, how much money they are planning to spend and what their choice is proved.

Russians appreciate peace and quiet when choosing type of leisure (42%); the proportion of those who report so has increased from 29% over the recent twenty years. Russians also prize the possibility to communicate with interesting people (from 18 to 29%), traveling (from 23 to 29%) and entertainment (from 17 to 25%). Respondents also take into account the opportunity to improve their health (27%). The number of those who appreciate broadening their mind first has doubled from 8 to 14%. On the contrary, Russians tend to less appreciate the opportunity to do their own business (from 21 to 13% respectively) and purchase new goods and services (from 8 to 3%).   One of the factors that seem to be less popular among respondents is improving physical fitness (5%).

When   choosing travel destination, Russians put attention to climate (21%), accessibility of prices (17%) and comfortable conditions (17%), which is followed by ecology (11%), good company (10%) and quality nutrition (6%). Only 3% are interested to see sightseeing. Compared with 1980s, more Russians has taken prices into account  (17% versus 6%) and comfortable living conditions (17% versus 14%) and less Russians think about climate in place they are going to (21% versus 39%).

Beach holiday is the most popular type of vacation for Russians (38%). The second place is held by sanatorium treatment 25%), followed by educational holiday (23%). Home leisure is ranked lower (19%), as well as hiking and spending time at dacha (18% per each). Less Russians would like to spend their summer vacation in holiday houses (from 25% in 2006 to 14% currently).

In terms of locations Russians show same preference as twenty years ago. Almost half of respondents (45%) are pleased with any kind of rest - both traditional and new one.  Every third (37%) prefer traditional kind of leisure, and every tenth (12%) would like to try something risky and unknown.

A relative majority of Russians (31%) want to spend their summer with spouses and children, and every fifth (22%) would like to leave their children at home. Less Russians spend their leisure time with friends and colleagues (17%) or alone (17%). And few Russians would travel without their spouse but with their children (5%).

Over the recent twenty years Russians has totally changed their preference when choosing tour packages. Earlier respondents chose travel package according to personal needs (49%), and price mattered less (30%); now the price is much more important for respodnents (49%), and compliance with expectation is less important for Russians (33%).

The main source of information about travelling for Russians is stories of their friends (48%, in 1990 - 35%) and television (46%, в 1990 году - 26%). Rarer than twenty years ago Russians get information from trade unions (36%, in 1990 - 4%), newspapers (22%, in 1990 - 27%) and radio (8%, 1990 - 16%); they get advice from tourist organizations instead (16%, in 1991 - 10%) and other sources (10%, in 1990 - 1%). The services of the tour operators are mainly used by respondents with high level of education (22%).

Plans for the summer - 2010

As before, the majority of Russians think that their holiday will be neither better nor worse than a year ago (55%). However, every fifth expect the forthcoming vacation to be better (13% in 2009). Those who are pessimistic about that are in the minority (9% versus 15% in the previous year).

The previous summer were spent basically at home, Russians say (59%). Many Russians had dacha vacation (22%). Respondents also mentioned other cities (rural area) (only 9%) and Black Sea shore (8%), abroad (4%), Crimea and other locations of the former USSR (3% per each).

As to the plans for the summer, most Russians will stay at home (55%). The rest of them they will spend their summertime at dacha (19%). Every tenth is going to go to the Black Sea shore of Russia (10%) or other places within the territory of Russia (9%). The share of those who are going to visit foreign countries is 5% - which is the highest point over the entire period of measurement. Crimea and other locations of the former USSR are mentioned by 2% (for each group). Seventy-three percent of those with low level of income and 32% of those with high level of income will stay at home. The latter more often than others are planning to go to the Black Sea (22%), other places in Russia and abroad (14% for each).

As to true preference of Russians, home vacation is ranked third among them (only 18%), and dacha vacation is chosen only by 8% of Russians. Most popular answers are as follows: travel abroad (29%) Black Sea shore (26%), Crimea (10%), any places of Russia (8%), any location within the former USSR territory (7%). Least popular answer is Baltic States (2%). Remarkably, respondents with good financial income and respondents with poor income choose different travel destinations. The former prefer travelling abroad (41%); the latter choose Black Sea shore of Russia (31%).

As before, Russians prefer their children to stay at home (38%).  Sixteen percent report their children will have a rest at dachas; 13% - in camps; 9% will take their children to places within Russian territory and 8% - Black Sea shore of the Caucasus. Five percent say their children will spend summertime with relatives, 3% (for each) - children will travel somewhere with other children or with parents taking them abroad.  Least popular destinations are countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States - both with parents and other relatives (1% for each).

Money and Rest

As before Russian prefer home holiday due to the lack of money, and the number of them has even increased, compared with the previous year (from 52 to 57%). The other reasons are less important for Russians: health and age - 10%, lack of vacation, little children and household - 6% (for each); other 5% like being at home.

The average expenditure Russians are able to spend for their holiday is 16 207 rub. Over the recent three years (from 2006 to 2008) the average cost has been increasing (from 10 494 to 15 632 rubles). During the crisis of 2009 this figure was reduced to 12 874 rub. However, it grew up to 16 207 rub. this year. The sums of money spent by respondents with high level of income and low level of income are different (22 657 rub. versus  11 169 rub.).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on May 15-16, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4 %.

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