The majority of Russians stay at home during vacation due to the lack of money, but if they could they would go abroad or to the Black Sea coast.  

MOSCOW, June 6, 2011. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing where Russians are going to go on vacations, and how much money they are going to spend.

Vacation preferences of Russians

Vacation abroad (31%) and the Black Sea coast of Russia (25%) are top popular summer destinations. Every year 10-13% of Russians dream to go to Crimea, and 9% would like to travel within the country. Those who prefer staying home if they had enough money are 17%, and the share of those who would go to dacha is 7%.

Russians with high level of education (46%) and   young respondents prefer going to distant countries (52%); Black Sea resorts are chosen by Russians with secondary and secondary special education diplomas  (27% for each), as well as middle-aged Russians (29%). Those who prefer staying home even having enough money are Russians with low level of education (40%) and elderly respondents (34%).

Beach holidays are getting more and more popular, whereas in 2005 there was 30% of Russians opted for a beach, in 2001 the share of them were 39%.Respondents are also attracted by educational vacations (30%) and sanatorium treatment (25%). Every fourth Russian prefers hiking. Less Russians spend vacation at dachas, homes (18% for each) and guest houses 17%).

Young respondents prefer beaches (67%), active leisure (hiking, fishing, and hunting), excursions - 37% (for each). Elderly respondents choose sanatorium treatment (40%) or staying at home (28%).

Plans for the summer - 2011

Half of Russians (56%) are confident that they can relax this summer as good as previous summer.  This stance is shared by Russians with low level of income (64%) and middle-aged respondents (14%).

Every fifth considers that this year vacation will be better that the previous year. Those who are optimistic about that are respondents with high level of income (46%) and youth (71%). Only 8% are pessimistic about that (versus 15% in crisis 2009). They are basically Russians with low level of income (9%) and aged 25-44 (16% for each).

As before, Russians are planning to rest at home (56%) or travel to dacha (19%) this summer. Those who prefer dachas are mainly Muscovites (32%) and St.Petersburgians (36%). Every fifth (9%) plans to go to other cities of Russia. Eight percent of Russians would go to the Black Sea coast, and five percent would opt for the Baltic States. Russians have got increasingly interested in the Baltic States over the recent two years.

Only two percent of Russians are planning a summer vacation abroad; most of them are Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (16% Muscovites and 10% St.Petersburgians).

As before, most of children will stay at home during this summer vacations (42%). Eighteen percent of kids will spend their holidays at dacha or garden plot.

The number of parents who are going to send their kids to the summer camp makes up 12%. Nine percent of parents will travel with their kids to the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, and eight present will take their children in their travel across Russia; other 5 % will go abroad with their children, and 3% are going to any country of the CIS.

Six percent of respondents will send their kids and grandchildren to relatives; other 2% would like their children to go hiking or somewhere accompanied by other children.

Over the recent eight years Russians have had their vacations spent at home (56-61%) or at dacha (22%). In 2010 every tenth Russian spent vacation at the Black Sea coast (11% versus 8% in 2009), and 7% traveled to other destinations within Russia. Other 5% went to the Baltic States; earlier this destination was less popular. Two percent travel to the distant countries.

The higher the incomes of Russians are, the rarer they stay at home during summer vacations: 59% of Russians with high level of income versus 72% of those with low level of income. Respondents with high level of income often travel not only to the Baltic States (14%) and other regions of Russia (12%) but abroad as well (7%).

Holidays` expenditures

Lack of money is the main reason why Russians spend their vacation at home (54% this year, 57% - previous year). The reasons why Russians refuse travelling are declining years and state of health (12%). The share of Russians who give up their holidays to their work has doubled (from 6 to 11%). Six percent of respondents escape travelling because they have small kids.

Russians also mention such reasons as having household chores (4%) and willingness to simply stay at home (5%).

Over the recent six years (from 2006 to 2011) the amount of the vacation expenditures has grown from 10.494 to 17.102 rubles. The planed expenditures` rise was only interrupted during the crisis in 2009 (12.874 rubles). However, a year later it was continued (16.207 rub in 2010).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on May 28-29, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!