Many Russian tourists are finding it increasingly difficult to afford vacations, with Crimea and Sochi emerging as popular alternatives for those priced out of other destinations like Anapa due to fuel oil pollution. The rising cost of transportation, particularly flights, is a significant factor impacting affordability.

A survey indicated that Crimea is the preferred replacement for Anapa, attracting 28% of respondents due to its similar pricing and convenient accessibility, especially by car, compared to other options like Abkhazia. Sochi followed as the second most popular choice, with 20% of respondents, offering a wide range of accommodations, including some budget-friendly options.

However, prices in Sochi hotels are on the rise, and specialists are uncertain about the upcoming season. A tourist from the Voronezh region noted the increasing difficulty in affording vacations, highlighting that a week-long stay in a sanatorium now costs 17,000 rubles per day for a double room with treatment and meals.

Airfare to Sochi has also surged, with round-trip tickets from Moscow now exceeding 20,000 rubles, compared to 10,000 rubles just two years ago. While Aeroflot offers tickets from Moscow to Sochi for June 20-27 at 22,000 rubles, residents of Irkutsk face significantly higher costs, with the cheapest ticket priced at 55,864 rubles.

Several hotels in Sochi are experiencing low occupancy rates, with one four-star hotel in Dagomys reporting only a dozen rooms occupied and few summer bookings. Despite offering weekly stays with breakfast for slightly over 100,000 rubles, guests are canceling reservations due to the high cost.

In contrast, guest houses in areas like Kurortny Gorodok of Adler are fully booked for June, July, and the first half of August. These guest houses offer more affordable options, with a large room for two costing 19,000 rubles per week without meals.

Dmitry Bogdanov, Chairman of the Expert Council of the AMOS Association of Hoteliers, acknowledged that despite a seemingly positive outlook, the tourist season is weak for many hotels and hospitality facilities. He attributed this to the strengthening ruble, which is encouraging Russian tourists to consider international trips, and mixed feelings about Sochi due to high prices, particularly for airfare and train tickets. Bogdanov advises tourists to contact tour operators for the best deals and to avoid potential scams.