The number of liquidated travel agencies in Russia has increased by a third.

In the first quarter of 2026, the number of liquidated companies in this sector jumped by 34,2% compared to the previous year, according to data from the Kontur.Fokus service. However, in 2025, the trend reversed, with the number of liquidations in the first quarter decreasing by 6,4%.

Data from the 2GIS mapping service also shows a decline in the tourism market. The number of travel agencies has declined the most in Moscow and Rostov-on-Don.

«The specific liquidation figure is more related to the introduction of VAT. Companies calculated the past year and decided to change legal entities, meaning it's easier to close one business and open a new one. However, there are no statistics on new openings in the article. — explains the respondent.NotMoscow"expert from the tourism industry. — The industry is certainly struggling, and we are seeing a decline, but not a lack of sales.”

According to NeMoskva's source, the decline in Russian tourism is linked to military conflict in the Middle East and fears of traveling to destinations such as Turkey and Egypt, as well as endless restrictions on aircraft landings and departures at airports, as well as rising flight costs due to fuel prices and a shortage of aircraft parts.

But, the expert notes, the situation was much worse during the pandemic: 

"There's plenty to sell right now: Vietnam is growing rapidly, and Thailand is stable. Elite destinations like the Maldives with direct flights from Moscow haven't been cancelled either, and Aeroflot has even added some. And our southern region hasn't gone anywhere."