Türkiye has remained the top overseas holiday choice for Russian travellers this summer, accounting for 57% of bookings, according to data from the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, known as ATOR.
ATOR said overseas package tour bookings in Russia were up 8% by the end of May compared with the same period last year. It expected 3 million Russian tourists to visit Türkiye between June and August, including Antalya, Istanbul and the Aegean coast.
The figures suggest that demand has stayed firmly focused on beach holidays, which made up 95% of Russian overseas tour interest for summer 2026. ATOR said tensions in the Gulf and the war in Iran have helped keep Türkiye at the centre of Russian travel plans.
Türkiye was ahead of other destinations including Egypt, Vietnam and China, which also featured prominently in Russian summer holiday searches. The pattern underlines how geography, weather and entry rules continue to shape where Russians choose to travel.
Visa access has also played a role. Türkiye does not require Russian visitors to obtain a visa for short stays, making it easier for them to book package holidays there than to many destinations in Europe.
At the same time, travel to Europe has become less attractive for some Russian holidaymakers due to visa requirements. In 2025, the Schengen visa refusal rate for Russian applicants fell to 6.3%, but the share of multi-entry visas also dropped from 41.3% to 28.4%.
That means three in four Russian tourists now receive visas limited to specific travel dates, according to the report cited by Diken. The tighter rules have reduced demand for European holidays and strengthened Türkiye’s position as the main option for summer travel.
Türkiye has long been one of the most important destinations for Russian outbound tourism, and the latest booking data suggests that role is continuing. For the country’s tourism industry, the expected arrival of 3 million Russian visitors in the peak summer months would offer another strong boost.
Russian travellers have also shown growing interest in destinations where travel is simple and direct. Türkiye’s mix of no-visa entry, established resort infrastructure and short flight times from Russia appears to be keeping it ahead of its rivals.
Industry watchers will now be looking at whether the booking trend holds through the rest of the summer season. If current patterns continue, Türkiye is likely to remain the dominant foreign holiday destination for Russian tourists in 2026.
