Page 118 - RusRPTAug21

The number of passengers at the capital’s airports in January-May increased by 19.7%, up to 23mn people. Domestic traffic increased by 72.3%, to 19.3mn passengers, and the international traffic decreased by 53.5%, to 3.8mn.
The holiday season has already begun with traffic at Moscow’s leading airports – Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo during May increased by 12 times compared to the same period last year – up to 6mn people, data from the Federal Air Transport Agency showed.
Transportation on domestic routes increased almost 11 times, up to 5mn, on international – 26.8 times, or up to 925,700 passengers.
"Vacation in Russia versus vacation abroad is a rather important issue. The question is this - do you permit yourself to vacation abroad, or do you vacation within Russia in the next few years?" About 75% say that they will vacation within Russia, that for them, this option is not only obtainable, but also interesting," said Kirill Rodin, director of the centre in an interview as cited by Tass.
Among the most popular holiday destinations for Russians inside the country are Crimea, Krasnodar Region, Altai.
"The first place is our absolute leader is the Crimean direction. Next up is Krasnodar Region. And then, we get two historically already known, largest magnets - Baikal and the Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaysk," he said.
Over the past five years, 42% of our fellow citizens went on vacation to other regions of Russia, while 29% of those surveyed noted that they had done this more than once, Rodin noted. According to him, the main factors that influence the choice of recreation for Russians are nature, climate and the possibility of intellectual enrichment, according to data from the last three years.
"In 2021, nature and climate became the main factors, and traditionally, they remain in place. The opportunity to learn new things and visit interesting places is also a very important and interesting trend, as well as the safety of the vacationer," he added.
Vnukovo in May increased its traffic 28.5 times, or 1.6mn, Domodedovo – 10.2 times, or 2.22mn, and Sheremetyevo – 9.8 times, or 2.19mn passengers.
118 RUSSIA Country Report August 2021 www.intellinews.com