KIROVSK /Murmansk Region/, November 6. /TASS/. Domestic tourist travel across Russia is projected to reach approximately 32 million trips during the upcoming winter season, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov announced on Friday.

Reshetnikov shared the forecast during an off-site meeting of the government commission on tourism development.

"We anticipate around 32 million trips, which is on par with last season's figures," the minister said.

The minister pointed out that current bookings are trailing behind last year’s pace, noting that travelers are increasingly reluctant to plan their trips well in advance. While tickets and hotel reservations--including for the New Year holidays--were previously booked months ahead, the booking window has narrowed to a couple of weeks or even days. This decline in booking lead times is a critical factor that hotels and regional authorities must consider when forecasting occupancy rates.

Faced with shifting consumer behavior and growing competition from outbound destinations, Russian hotels have curbed price hikes for the winter season. Rates are up just 4% year-on-year, running below the inflation rate, Reshetnikov reported. "Consequently, we expect to capture additional demand as the season progresses," he explained.

According to him, major cities with developed infrastructure--such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, and Nizhny Novgorod--remain the primary winter attractions for Russian tourists. The second most popular category includes destinations with guaranteed snowfall, specifically northern territories, Siberia, the Urals, and the Russian Far East. Additionally, domestic travelers are increasingly exploring their home regions and visiting local ski resorts.