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Russian Outbound Tourism During New Year Holidays Down 35%

Russian President Vladinir Putin (R) and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev share a ride on a chairlift during their visit to the Krasnaya Polyana resort near the southern Russia city of Sochi.

The number of Russians going abroad for the New Year holidays decreased by between 30 and 35 percent compared to the same period last year, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Tuesday, citing Russia's Tour Operators Association.

Despite seeing increased demand on some international destinations, outbound tourism during the holidays saw a 30-35 percent slump, the association's executive director Maya Lomidze said, according to RIA Novosti.

Many Russians spent the holidays at home due to the increased costs of trips abroad, Lomidze added.

Domestic tourism saw growth of between 6 and 10 percent over the same period, according to Tour Operators Association's data.

International travel has been hit by a sharp drop in the value of the ruble as well as the suspension of Turkish tours and a ban on flights to Egypt.

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