China Takes Over Autumn School Holidays: How Russian Tourists' Preferences Are Shifting

Quick market snapshot

The school autumn break (October 26 – November 3) usually marks the peak of demand for outbound trips. According to the Russian Union of the Travel Industry, this year more than 80 % of all flights booked through global reservation systems went to just three destinations. And at the top of the list is China.

China – the new favourite

Chinese flights accounted for 43.7 % of total sales, almost one‑and‑a‑half times the share a year ago (29.9 %). Overall sales jumped about 28 %. The surge comes from a mix of looser visa rules, more direct flights and growing interest in cultural and educational programmes that often get bundled into autumn tours.

UAE losing ground

Last year the United Arab Emirates led the popularity chart with a 31 % share. Today it’s down to 14.7 %, and sales have almost halved (a loss of roughly 58 %). The dip is linked to higher airfares and tougher competition from other Middle‑Eastern countries that have started offering more attractive packages.

Turkey holds onto second place

Turkey comfortably sits in second place: its share rose from 20 % to 24 %, and sales grew by nearly 5 %. The country stays appealing thanks to a blend of beach leisure, historic sites and a wide range of low‑cost carriers.

Shifts inside the Persian Gulf

Demand within the Persian Gulf region moved away from the UAE toward its neighbours. Oman more than doubled its sales (around 110 %), overtaking Thailand and Egypt in popularity. Qatar added 16.5 %, and Bahrain appeared in the rankings for the first time with a 1.4 % share. Together these three sell twice as many tickets as a year ago, though overall demand is still below last year’s holiday level.

Declining interest in traditional beach spots

Ticket sales for the Maldives fell by roughly 30 %, and Thailand saw a drop of over 40 %. Demand for Azerbaijan and Egypt also slipped past 40 %. The main reasons are rising charter prices and a shift toward more “home‑grown” vacation options.

Family tours tell a different story

Looking at package tours booked through online agencies, Egypt remains on top – its share is 27.5 %. Turkey follows (21.5 %) and Thailand (15 %). China holds only 10.7 %, but demand for family trips there grew 2.1 times, and the average spend rose 8 %, reaching about 222 000 rubles.

What to keep in mind when planning

• Book early. Most tickets go through global systems, and prices start climbing a few weeks before departure.
• Compare options. Regular scheduled flights are often cheaper than charters, but the latter may include transfers and accommodation, which is handy for families.
• Watch visa requirements. In 2024 the visa process for China is simplified, yet it can still take several weeks.
• Follow airline promos. Many carriers roll out discounts right before the autumn break, especially on routes where demand is rising.

How demand might look next year

Experts note that while 2025 saw demand spread more evenly among the three leaders, a clear tilt toward China is already visible. In the coming months Chinese tour operators are expected to ramp up advertising, and airlines are likely to add new direct flights from major Russian cities.

Bottom line

The autumn school break has become a battleground for Russian tourists’ attention. China has firmly taken the lead, pushing traditional powerhouses like the UAE and Turkey back. At the same time, interest inside the Persian Gulf is shifting toward Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. For travelers this means more choices, but also a need for careful planning to nail the right mix of price, comfort and interests.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.