The pandemic made almost every second Russian change his/her summer plans; in the summer of Covid-19 many opted for domestic tourism or stayed at the dacha.
MOSCOW, September 29, 2020 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study describing how Russians spent their summer vacation.
Dacha is at the top of the Russians’ travel preferences in the summer of 2020 (45%). It was often chosen by middle-aged Russians and those aged over 60 (45% of those aged 35-44; 43% of those aged 45-59; 53% of those aged 60 and over). Another popular choice was staying at home (37%; predominantly young Russians aged 18-24 (49%) and those aged 25-34 (44%)). Other popular vacation types involved beach vacation (29%), cultural tourism (28%) and active tourism such as hiking, cycling, climbing (26%), and road trips (26%).
In the summer of 2020, more than one-third of Russians stayed at home (37%); another quarter of respondents stayed at the dacha or a garden plot (27%). Every ninth (9%) visited another Russian city; 6% went to the Krasnodar krai resorts.
Forty-six percent of Russians spent their summer where they wanted to go to. Every fifth respondent had to change their vacation plans (22%); a further 23% changed their plans and did not take a vacation. The major reasons that caused changes to plans were coronavirus and quarantine measures (58%), financial problems (18%) and border closure (11%).
The average Russian who travelled somewhere other than home or dacha this summer spent an average sum of 32,592 rubles (which is 18.5% less than in 2019) versus a planned sum of 49,500 rubles (which is 14% less than in 2019). The vacation lasted 33 days on average; the most common number of days off mentioned by Russians was 20. Almost every seventh respondent (16%) could use only weekends to have a rest; 58% could take a vacation. Those who travelled somewhere on vacation were in a group of four persons.
Most of those who had a vacation this summer are happy with it (71% vs 27% of those dissatisfied). Those who travelled beyond their city, rural area or dachas are more satisfied: 90% vs 10% of those dissatisfied (a 3-point decrease compared to last year).The basic reasons causing discontent of those who travelled beyond their city or dacha are the following: failure to go where they wanted (52%, +19 p.p. since last year), poor weather (9%, −11 p.p.), and short vacation (9%, −7 p.p.).
The majority of those who traveled somewhere beyond their city or dacha did not use the services of travel agencies (90%, +10 p.p. since last year). Sixty-eight percent of Russians used travel agencies to book tours. The main benefit of using a tour agency is a well-organized tour (14%); the main disadvantage is high costs (26%).
Those who chose Russia as a vacation destination this summer say that they liked the climate and weather (20%), nature (20%) and the sea (15%). They were least satisfied with the prices (16%), level of service (10%) and the quality of roads and traffic jams (10%). On the whole, the probability that those who have had their vacations this year will recommend domestic travel to their friends is eight out of ten scores.
Over the recent five years, 9% of Russians have travelled on vacation across Russia several times a year; 23%, at least once a year; 18%, once every two years. Over the recent five years, the conditions and infrastructure for domestic travel have improved, according to 46% of Russians; those who think so are mainly Russians who have travelled beyond their city or dacha (52%). The most popular Russian destinations are Krasnodar krai (28%), the Crimea (9%), and St Petersburg (5%) and Moscow (4%).
Russians who have spent their vacations in Russia over the recent five years were asked to give scores to the following aspects using a scale of one to five: nature and climate (4.37), opportunity to visit places of interest (4.13), safety (3.87) and entertainment and cultural activities (3.79). The price of tickets to get to the resort was scored lowest (3.10).
Last year, Russia was also popular as a destination country for the summer vacation (41%). Many of those who have not travelled anywhere this year travelled abroad last year (32%).
Seventy percent of Russians have heard of the government cashback program aimed to support domestic travel; one in five is well aware (19%). An overwhelming majority of Russians say that they have not used this program (99%). Forty-two percent of Russians would like to take part in it. The reason why Russians are not interested in the cashback payment for domestic travel are lack of money (17%), lack of desire to travel (11%), having no plans to go anywhere (10%) lack of interest (10%).
Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on September 15 and 17, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone number was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and 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.
What type of vacation do you prefer? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and older |
Rural area, a trip to the dacha | 45 | 37 | 39 | 45 | 43 | 53 |
At home | 37 | 49 | 44 | 35 | 30 | 36 |
A trip to the beach | 29 | 24 | 42 | 43 | 26 | 13 |
Culture, architecture, places of interest | 28 | 27 | 32 | 34 | 27 | 21 |
Active tourism: hiking, climbing cycling | 26 | 45 | 32 | 35 | 24 | 13 |
A road trip | 26 | 26 | 36 | 32 | 25 | 14 |
Fishing, hunting | 24 | 13 | 24 | 30 | 30 | 17 |
Event tourism: concerts, celebrations, festivals, etc. | 21 | 32 | 23 | 27 | 16 | 18 |
Health and recreation | 19 | 11 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 21 |
Educational tourism, courses, training | 11 | 27 | 13 | 15 | 7 | 4 |
Extreme tourism (mountaineering, mountain skiing, rafting, etc.) | 9 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 3 |
Gastronomy tourism, local cuisine | 9 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 4 |
Cruise holiday | 8 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
Religious tourism | 5 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
Other | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
How did you spend your summer? (closed-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and older |
I was on holiday, on vacation but I stayed at home doing my thing | 37 | 43 | 39 | 35 | 37 | 36 |
At my dacha, in the garden | 27 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 28 | 39 |
Another Russian city, village | 9 | 18 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
Krasnodar krai resort (Sochi, Anapa, Tuapse, etc.) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 |
Crimea | 4 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Abroad, another country | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
I did not have a rest, I did not take a vacation | 21 | 15 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 15 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Did you spend your summer in the place where you were going in the beginning of this year, or did you have to change your summer plans? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million-plus cities | 500-950,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | <100,000 | Rural area |
I spent summer where I wanted to | 46 | 47 | 37 | 44 | 42 | 46 | 56 |
My plans changed, I spent summer in another location | 22 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 13 |
My plans changed, I decided not to take a vacation | 23 | 21 | 26 | 22 | 29 | 19 | 20 |
Don’t know | 9 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 11 |
Why did your summer plans change? Several answers are possible (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those whose plans changed; answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| % of those whose summer plans changed |
Because of coronavirus (pandemic) / quarantine measures / self-isolation | 58 |
Financial problems / lack of money / low salaries and pensions | 18 |
Restrictions for traveling / closed borders | 11 |
I had to work | 7 |
Personal problems / family reasons | 3 |
Health reasons | 3 |
I did not plan that / I did not want to | 2 |
I did not get a vacation | 2 |
Due to disease (death) of a family member | 2 |
I was busy with home construction / repairs | 2 |
Other | 9 |
Don’t know | 3 |
Can you assess how much money you spent on your summer vacation this year? If you were not alone on your vacation, can you indicate a sum spent per person? (open-ended question, one answer, average sum in rubles, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer) | ||||||||||
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
Planned budget | - | 27.220 | 27.636 | 30.651 | 32.810 | 33.653 | 39.806 | 44.205 | 43.333 | 49.500 |
Actual budget | 21.481 | 24.736 | 30.778 | 29.731 | 38.516 | 36.026 | 37.363 | 37.179 | 39.942 | 32.592 |
Actual budget growth rate compared to last year, % | - | 15 | 24 | -3 | 30 | -6 | 4 | -0,5 | 7 | -18,5
|
Planned budget growth rate compared to last year, % | - | - | 2 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 11 | -2 | +14 |
How many days did your summer vacation last? (open-ended question, one answer, average and median value (days); % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million-plus cities | 500-950,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | <100,000 | Rural area |
Average | 33 | 40 | 34 | 29 | 32 | 34 | 28 |
Median | 20 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 14 |
Did you have a rest only on the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), or did you take your annual leave this summer? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million-plus cities | 500-950,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | <100,000 | Rural area |
I had a rest only on the weekend | 16 | 7 | 21 | 11 | 14 | 19 | 27 |
I took a week of vacation | 8 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 5 |
I took two weeks of vacation | 19 | 23 | 19 | 26 | 22 | 15 | 13 |
I took a month of vacation | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
I took a vacation which lasted more than a month | 16 | 26 | 12 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 6 |
Don’t know | 26 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 26 | 25 | 36 |
Are you satisfied with the way you spent your summer vacation? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer beyond their cities, villages or dachas) | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
Yes | 86 | 91 | 88 | 82 | 83 | 85 | 93 | 90 |
No | 9 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 10 |
Don’t know | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
How many persons kept you company during this summer vacation including you personally? (open-ended question, one answer, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and older |
Average | 4
| 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Are you satisfied with the way you spent your summer vacation? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | At dacha, garden plot | Krasnodar krai resorts (Sochi, Anapa, Tuapse, etc.) | Crimea | Another Russia city, rural area | Abroad, another country | I was on holidays , on vacation but I stayed at home doing my thing |
Likely satisfied | 71 | 76 | 89 | 94 | 89 | 90 | 61 |
Likely dissatisfied | 27 | 24 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 36 |
Don’t know | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
If you are not satisfied with the way you spent your summer vacation, then why? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer beyond their cities, villages and are not satisfied with the vacation) | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
I could not go where I wanted | 31 | 33 | 25 | 37 | 29 | 37 | 33 | 52 |
Because of the weather | 14 | 3 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 29 | 20 | 9 |
My vacation was too short | 17 | 33 | 39 | 34 | 26 | 27 | 16 | 9 |
That place was too expensive | 29 | 12 | 34 | 39 | 23 | 29 | 34 | 6 |
Wrong company | 6 | 6 | 17 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 7 |
Poor service | 20 | 12 | 15 | 21 | 9 | 11 | 19 | 3 |
Poor organization of the trip (bad travel agency, the flight was cancelled, etc.) | 9 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Did you use the services of travel agencies to book a trip this summer? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer beyond their cities, villages, dachas) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million-plus cities | 500-950,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | <100,000 | Rural area |
Yes | 10 | 6 | 0 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 14 |
No | 90 | 94 | 100 | 79 | 89 | 90 | 86 |
So did you book a trip on your own or through a travel agency in the end? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who travelled somewhere other than their dachas and those who used the services of travel agencies) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million-plus cities | 500-950,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | <100,000 | Rural area |
Yes | 68 | 68 | 0 | 75 | 68 | 53 | 77 |
No | 30 | 32 | 0 | 15 | 32 | 47 | 23 |
Don’t know | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In your opinion, what are the advantages of booking a tour through travel agency? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer beyond their cities, villages, dachas; answers of at least 4% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
More well-organized | 14 |
No benefits | 13 |
All-inclusive / service package | 12 |
They will do what you need /you don’t need to spend time and you don’t get stressed | 11 |
More options / you have what to choose from and information | 9 |
Convenient | 5 |
Cheaper | 4 |
Other | 9 |
Don’t know | 38 |
In your opinion, what are the disadvantages of booking a tour through travel agency? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who travelled somewhere during this summer beyond their cities, villages, dachas; answers of at least 3% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
It is expensive | 26 |
No disadvantages | 11 |
Fraud | 8 |
Not reliable | 6 |
Restricted options | 5 |
Poor quality | 3 |
Other | 8 |
Don’t know | 45 |
What did you enjoy most in your vacation in Russia this year? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who had their vacation in Russia this year; answers of at least 4% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Weather/ climate | 20 |
Nature | 20 |
Sea | 15 |
Sightseeing | 8 |
People/ company | 8 |
The mere fact that I had a vacation in Russia | 5 |
Service | 4 |
Tours | 4 |
Tidiness | 4 |
I liked everything | 4 |
Not too many people | 4 |
Other | 31 |
Don’t know | 17 |
What did you dislike most in your vacation in Russia this year? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who had their vacation in Russia this year; answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Prices | 16 |
Service | 10 |
Roads/ traffic jams | 10 |
I liked everything | 8 |
Coronavirus/ everything was closed | 7 |
Infrastructure/ no infrastructure | 6 |
Weather | 6 |
Too many people | 4 |
There was no choice | 2 |
Transport problems | 2 |
Wearing face masks | 2 |
Other | 11 |
Don’t know | 33 |
How likely is it that you would recommend spending a vacation in Russia to your friends? Please give a score, using the 1-10 scale, with 1 being “I would definitely not recommend it” and 10 being “I would definitely recommend it, or I have already recommended it”. (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who spent their vacation in Russia this summer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and older |
Average | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
In your opinion, how have the conditions for leisure and recreation in Russia changed over the recent five years? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| Total respondents | Those who stayed at dachas, garden plots, at home | Those who travelled somewhere | Those who did not have a vacation |
For the better | 46 | 47 | 52 | 40 |
For the worse | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 |
No changes | 29 | 27 | 33 | 31 |
Don’t know | 15 | 15 | 7 | 18 |
There are Russians who do not leave their region and prefer to stay at home. Others travel across Russia, some Russians also travel abroad. Have you travelled to other Russian regions over the recent five years, or not? If so, how often did you do that? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| Total respondents | Those who stayed at dachas, garden plots, at home | Those who travelled somewhere | Those who did not have a vacation |
Several times a year | 9 | 7 | 17 | 7 |
Once a year | 23 | 20 | 46 | 19 |
Once every two to three years or even less often | 18 | 19 | 16 | 14 |
No, never | 50 | 53 | 21 | 59 |
Don’t know | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What is the Russian region (oblast, krai, republic, federal city) that you have visited most often over the recent five years? (except for your region) (open-ended question, one answer, % of those who have had a vacation in a Russian region other than their own over the recent five years; answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Krasnodar krai | 28 |
Republic of Crimea | 9 |
St Petersburg | 5 |
Moscow | 4 |
Altai krai | 2 |
Voronezh oblast | 2 |
Stavropol krai | 2 |
Leningrad oblast | 2 |
Republic of Tatarstan | 2 |
Other | 40 |
Don’t know | 4 |
Please assess the aspects of a vacation in Russia, using the 1-5 scale, with 5 being “excellent” and 1 being “very bad”. (closed-ended question, one answer, average scores based on the answers of those who have visited other Russian regions over the recent 5 years) | |||||
| 2016 | 2018 | 2019 | May 2020 | Sept.2020 |
Nature and climate | 4.47 | 4.45 | 4.41 | 4.42 | 4.37 |
Opportunities to discover something new, to visit interesting places | 4.33 | 4.25 | 4.04 | 4.16 | 4.13 |
Safety | 3.8 | 3.84 | 3.8 | 4.03 | 3.87 |
Available cultural, leisure, entertainment activities | 3.99 | 3.93 | 3.67 | 3.83 | 3.79 |
Community, specific kind of people who are on vacation | 3.7 | 3.81 | 3.69 | 3.69 | 3.77 |
Environment | - | - | - | 3.68 | 3.72 |
Health, wellness and recreational therapy | 3.91 | 3.74 | 3.4 | 3.43 | 3.6 |
Quality of service | 3.61 | 3.49 | 3.44 | 3.54 | 3.58 |
Good food at an affordable price | 3.67 | 3.53 | 3.42 | 3.53 | 3.57 |
Comfortable accommodation at an affordable price | 3.54 | 3.36 | 3.38 | 3.41 | 3.47 |
Costs of travel | 3.21 | 3.05 | 2.93 | 3.16 | 3.10 |
Did you mostly travel abroad or domestically last year? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| Total respondents | Those who stayed at dachas, garden plots, at home | Those who travelled somewhere | Those who did not have a vacation |
Mostly abroad | 25 | 21 | 26 | 32 |
Mostly across Russia | 41 | 45 | 45 | 26 |
Equally | 25 | 26 | 26 | 22 |
Don’t know | 9 | 8 | 3 | 20 |
Have you travelled abroad over the recent five years? If so, how often? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and older |
Several times a year | 4 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Once a year | 9 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Once every two to three years or even less often | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 |
No, never | 78 | 76 | 75 | 73 | 79 | 84 |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Do you know/have you heard that this year Russia has launched a tourism cashback program to support domestic travel? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million-plus cities | 500-950,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | <100,000 | Rural area |
I am well aware | 19 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 26 | 14 | 11 |
I heard something but I do not know any details | 51 | 44 | 50 | 56 | 53 | 52 | 52 |
This is the first time I hear about that | 30 | 26 | 29 | 23 | 21 | 34 | 37 |
Have you used the cashback program for tours in Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who have heard of the program) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million-plus cities | 500-950,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | <100,000 | Rural area |
Yes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
No | 99 | 99 | 97 | 99 | 100 | 100 | 99 |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Would you like to take part in the cashback program to get payments for your tours across Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million-plus cities | 500-950,000 inhabitants | 100–500,000 inhabitants | <100,000 | Rural area |
Yes, I would | 42 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 41 | 42 |
No, I would not | 55 | 57 | 56 | 55 | 53 | 54 | 55 |
Don’t know | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
What is the reason why you would refuse to take part in the cashback program for tours in Russia? Several answers are possible (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who would not like to take part in the cashback program; answers of at least 4% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
No money / I cannot afford tours | 17 |
I do not like travelling / I never go anywhere / Home is better | 11 |
I am not going to book a tour / a trip / I do not have plans to go anywhere | 10 |
I am not interested in this topic / I do not need it /I do not want it | 10 |
Coronavirus epidemic / I am scared of contracting the coronavirus | 7 |
I have no time / Time does not permit | 6 |
No opportunity to travel | 5 |
I do not want to travel across Russia / I do not like vacations and recreation in Russia / I prefer to spend vacations abroad | 5 |
I have to work / I do not have a vacation any time soon | 5 |
I am sick / poor health | 4 |
I do not like the program requirements/program conditions do not suit me | 4 |
Other | 28 |
Don’t know | 6 |
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.