Crimea is one of the most desired travel destinations for Russians; it is sharing the first place with other popular overseas resorts.
MOSCOW, June 3, 2015. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of the annual survey devoted to the summer plans of Russians.
More and more Russians plan to stay at home during their vacations (59% in 2004 vs 40% now). They are mainly elderly Russians (53% of those aged more than 60 y.o.), respondents with elementary level of education (54%) and low income (51%).
Financial problems are the main reason why Russians refuse to travel; however, today fewer Russians complain about the lack of money than before (43%). Every seventh (15%) does not have an opportunity to take a vacation due to heavy work load. Others refuse to travel due to poor health state (13%) or family problems (7%). Certain respondents prefer staying at home rather than going somewhere (5%).
One-quarter of respondents (26%) will spend their summer at dacha (earlier – about 18-25%). More Russians want to visit something in Russia (from 4% in 2014 to 11% in 2015). Every tenth (10%) would go to the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus (Sochi, Tuapse, Anapa, etc.).
Children and grandchildren will stay at home (34%) or will go to dacha (17%. Fifteen percent of respondents will take them to a Russian city or rural area settlement; 11% will send them to the summer camp, and 10% - to the Black Sea coast. Five percent of respondents will take their children abroad; 1% will send unaccompanied children abroad.
Many Russians still dream of travelling abroad (27% would do that if they could). At the same time, Crimea is among top favourite destinations; the share of Russians who choose this place has tripled (from 8% in 2014 to 27% in 2015). Crimea is attracted by its landscapes and architecture (25%) as well as good resorts (23%).
Twenty-three percent of Russians are interested in the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus (19% in 2014). Twelve percent prefer travelling across Russia. Eleven percent of Russians choose staying at home; 10% opt for their garden plots.
The costs of vacations have increased again; an average of 32810 rubles will be spent on trips (vs 30651 rubles in 2014). Those who can spend more money are Russians with high income (40192 rub.), residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (39392 rub.). Most of people save up to be able to travel. Only 12% can pay the trip using the current money; the share of such respondents has decreased over a year (from 18% in 2014). Not too many Russians will take on a loan or have a side job (5% per each group).
Russians are less optimistic about the way how they will spend their vacations: 33% believe that the vacations will be better than in the previous year vs. 38% in 2014. The share of those who are pessimistic has doubled (form 5% to 11%). Four in ten respondents (44%) think that vacations will be the same as in the previous year.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted May 16-17, 2015; 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 communities in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
Where did you spend your previous summer vacation? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, %) | ||||||||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
Home | 61 | 59 | 56 | 59 | 58 | 56 | 59 | 59 | 53 | 47 | 48 | 46 |
Dacha, garden plot | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 28 |
Black sea coast in the Caucasus (Sochi, Tuapse, Anapa, etc.) | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
Other city or rural area in Russia | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 11 |
Abroad (outside the territory of the former USSR) | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Crimea | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 5 |
Other place within the former USSR territory (except for Baltic states) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Baltic states | 1 | <1 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | <1 |
Don`t know | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Where are you going to spend the upcoming summer vacations? (close-ended question , any number of answers, %) | ||||||||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
Home | 59 | 59 | 52 | 57 | 55 | 53 | 55 | 56 | 48 | 45 | 46 | 40 |
Dacha, garden plot | 20 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 26 |
Other city or rural area in Russia | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 11 |
Abroad (outside the territory of the former USSR) | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
Crimea | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 |
Abroad (outside the territory of the former USSR) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
Other place within the former USSR territory (except for Baltic states) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Baltic states | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | <1 | <1 |
Don`t know | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
If you have minor children or grandchildren, where and with who will they spend their summer? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who have minor children and grandchildren) | ||||||||||||||
| 1999 | 2000 | 2002 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Home | 50 | 47 | 49 | 46 | 41 | 39 | 37 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 37 | 38 | 34 |
Dacha / garden plot | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 17 |
They will go to some other place in Russia together with their parents | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Children summer camp | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
They will go to the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus with their parents | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
They will go abroad with their parents | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
They will spend their summer time with parents` relatives and friends (without parents) | 4 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
They will go hiking or go somewhere with other children | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
They will go with their parents to the republics of the former USSR | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
They will spend their summer without parents abroad (visiting relatives and friends) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1 |
They will spend their summer without parents in CIS countries (visiting relatives and friends) | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
Other | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Don`t know | 14 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
If you plan to stay at home during this summer, can you tell us why? (open-ended question, one answer, % of those who will spend summer at home) | |||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
Lack of money | 54 | 60 | 52 | 57 | 54 | 49 | 47 | 49 | 43 |
I work hard; I have no vacations | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 |
State of health, age, illness | 12 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 13 |
Family issues, small children | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
No desire; I prefer staying at home | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
Housekeeping | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Other | <1 | <1 | 2 | <1 | 1 | <1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Don`t know | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 6 | 13 |
Where would you like to spend your vacations, if you had enough money and choice? (closed-ended question, not more than two answers, %) | |||||||||||
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
Abroad (beyond the territory of the former USSR) | 28 | 34 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 26 | 27 |
Crimea | 11 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 27 |
Black Sea coast in the Caucasus (Sochi, Tuapse, Anapa, etc.) | 31 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 23 |
Other city or rural area in Russia | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 12 |
Home | 14 | 10 | 24 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 |
Dacha / garden plot | 6 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Other place within the former USSR territory (except for Baltic states) | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
Baltic states | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Don `t know | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
Why are you attracted by the vacations in Crimea? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, %) | ||
| 2014 | 2015 |
Architecture, landscapes, sightseeing | 27 | 25 |
Sea, resorts | 31 | 23 |
Good climate | 20 | 11 |
Because now it is Russian territory (it is nice to hear people speaking Russia, to use Russian rubbles) | 4 | 5 |
I have never visited it before | 3 | 4 |
Low prices | 3 | 4 |
Memories from childhood; it is interesting to see what has changed after the incorporation | 1 | 2 |
Hospitality, high-quality service | 1 | 2 |
Relatives leave there | 1 | 1 |
High-quality treatment | 1 | 1 |
Local cuisine, drinks, fruits | 1 | 1 |
Everything | 2 | 1 |
It is convenient (“it is close to fly to”; I am afraid of airplanes, I travel by train”, “accessibility”, “easy access”) | – | 1 |
Nothing is attractive | 19 | 27 |
Other | 3 | 3 |
Don`t know | 20 | 9 |
What is frightening about Crimea? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, %) | ||
| 2014 | 2015 |
Uneasy atmosphere due to Ukrainian developments | 19 | 10 |
High prices, possible increase of prices, lack of money | 13 | 10 |
Not easy to reach it; far away destination | 3 | 8 |
Low-level infrastructure, poor service | 2 | 3 |
No time, opportunities, poor state of health | 1 | 1 |
Nothing | 43 | 62 |
Other | 1 | 3 |
Don`t know | 21 | 7 |
If you or someone from your family is going to take a vacation, how much money are you going to spend per each member of family? (open-ended question , average, rub.) | ||||
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Average sum | 27.220 | 27.636 | 30.651 | 32.810 |
Growth rate |
| 2% | 11% | 7% |
How will you pay for your trip? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who will go somewhere for the summer vacations) | |||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
I am saving up | 53 | 54 | 54 |
I will pay the trip using my current revenue; I will not do anything special for that | 16 | 18 | 12 |
I will take on a loan for the trip | 4 | 4 | 5 |
I will pay the trip using my extra income (bonus, side job income, etc.) | 4 | 2 | 5 |
I will not pay my trip myself; it will travel using the help of my parents/friends/relatives | 3 | 6 | 4 |
I will borrow from my friends and relatives | 4 | 2 | 1 |
I will pay the trip using money by selling valuable things and bonds | <1 | <1 | 1 |
Other | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Don`t know | 15 | 13 | 15 |
Do you expect your upcoming summer vacations will be better/worse/same as in the previous year? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||||
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Better | 18 | 13 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 38 | 33 |
Worse | 8 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 11 |
The same | 54 | 51 | 55 | 56 | 60 | 59 | 43 | 44 |
Don`t know | 20 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 12 |
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!