Business Travel Declines in Russia Amid Economic Slowdown

After two years of growth, the business tourism market in Russia has started to shrink. The number of business trips across the country fell by 8% in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Major cities felt the impact most acutely. Moscow recorded a 15% decrease in bookings, while Saint Petersburg saw a 22% drop. This downturn is attributed to companies optimizing their travel budgets in response to a cooling economy. Businesses are cutting back on trip frequency and selecting more economical transport methods.

The business travel sector in Russia has reversed its trajectory. Following a period of expansion lasting two years, the market volume has begun to contract.

According to the data, the total number of business trips taken within the country in 2025 decreased by 8% year-over-year. This marks a significant shift from the previous growth trend.

The decline in business travel is not uniform across the country, with major economic centers facing the steepest reductions.

Moscow experienced a 15% loss in bookings, reflecting the capital's sensitivity to budget cuts. Meanwhile, Saint Petersburg was hit even harder, with bookings falling by 22%. These figures highlight the concentrated impact on Russia's primary business hubs.

The primary driver behind this contraction is the optimization of travel budgets. Companies are responding to the general cooling of the economy by tightening operational expenses.

Organizations are implementing two main strategies to reduce costs:

• Reducing the frequency of employee travel
• Choosing more budget-friendly transportation options

These measures indicate a cautious approach to corporate spending in the current economic climate.

The data indicates a clear trend of cost-cutting within the Russian business sector. As companies continue to navigate economic challenges, the business tourism market is likely to remain flat or continue contracting until economic conditions improve.