The top cities for cultural and educational tourism were identified by Russians.

The travel planning service, OneTwoTrip, gathered insights from its clients regarding how they acquire new information while traveling in Russia and abroad, as well as the destinations where they experienced significant intellectual growth. The findings revealed that St. Petersburg and Rome were the cities where tourists gained the most valuable knowledge.

A remarkable 95% of travelers expressed a deliberate interest in obtaining information about their destinations, encompassing their history and culture. Notably, 91% of respondents independently sought out relevant information through the internet or travel guides. Around 69% acquired knowledge from local residents, while only 36% relied on guides. Interestingly, 85% of respondents retained the newly acquired information, and a majority of 96% usually shared it with others.

As per the tourists’ feedback, journeys to St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region proved to be the most informative, with 16% of respondents highlighting this. They particularly praised visits to museums and historical sites, singling out attractions like Peterhof. In the North Caucasus, especially Dagestan with its rich traditions, 14% of respondents acquired significant knowledge. Explorations of Crimea, including its parks, vineyards, and architectural monuments, were enlightening for 11% of travelers. Approximately 8% of respondents mentioned the historical excursion into the past of Kaliningrad and the diverse nature along the Baltic coast. Informative experiences in Altai were reported by 5% of tourists. The remaining respondents expressed a wide range of opinions.

Regarding foreign destinations, Italy emerged as the leader, chosen by 12% of respondents. Rome, with its profound history and ancient architectural marvels, was particularly highlighted. Istanbul in Turkey proved intriguing for 10% of tourists. Spain, with Barcelona being a notable attraction, interested 9.5% of respondents, largely due to the masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi. Additionally, 6% of Russian travelers discovered new things during their visit to the UAE, while 4.8% did so in Greece. The remaining respondents offered diverse perspectives.

Source: OneTwoTrip