Russian Travellers Shift to Egypt and Turkey Amid Middle East Tensions
Russian travellers are changing their holiday plans for 2026 as tensions in the Middle East reshape tourism trends. Popular destinations like the UAE and Gulf states are seeing fewer bookings, while Egypt and Turkey now lead as top alternatives.
The shift comes after years of evolving preferences, with Turkey holding its position as the most visited country despite growing competition from Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Armenia. In recent years, Turkey remained the favourite for Russian tourists, with visits climbing from 6.7 million in 2024 to 6.9 million in 2025. Yet for family trips, the UAE overtook Turkey in popularity, jumping from 1.9% to 14.3% of the market. Kazakhstan also entered the rankings with 10.2% of bookings, while Armenia saw a 4.3-fold increase to 8.2%.
Middle East tensions have now pushed nearly 40% of tours originally bound for Gulf destinations toward Egypt's resorts. The country's strong service standards, short flight times, and varied hotel options make it an appealing replacement. Turkey, too, continues to attract visitors, with bookings up by 21% in recent months.
Other destinations are gaining ground as well. Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Armenia are recommended for sightseeing, while Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and China are rising in popularity. Domestic tourism within Russia has also surged, with Adler seeing a 50% increase in bookings. The Maldives, however, is expected to retain most of its visitors, though some may turn to Southeast Asian alternatives instead.
Despite the demand, Egyptian hotels have no plans to raise prices immediately. Yet tour costs for Egypt and Turkey could still climb due to limited flights or rising aviation fuel expenses. Egypt and Turkey are now the leading choices for Russian tourists in 2026, replacing many Middle Eastern destinations. With domestic travel and Asian countries also on the rise, the tourism landscape continues to adapt to regional shifts.
Prices may fluctuate as demand grows, but Egypt's hospitality sector remains stable for now, offering competitive options for travellers.
