The tourism industry will spend up to $10 million (around 773 million rubles) on additional accommodation and repatriation of tourists stranded abroad due to the Middle East conflict, Kommersant reports.

At least 60,000 Russian citizens are facing difficulties returning home. Last year, the Israel-Iran standoff resulted in total losses for the tourism industry of 10 billion rubles. Operators are hoping to convince the government to compensate expenses through the funds of the Turpomoshch association.

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) estimates that costs for forced accommodation of stranded travelers will amount to several million dollars, with executive director Maya Lomidze putting the figure at up to $10 million. A more precise calculation will be made after the active phase of the conflict ends.

Russian Union of Travel Industry vice president Dmitry Gorin noted that a single airspace closure over the Middle East in 2025 cost tour operators $30 million. Turpomoshch director Alexander Osaulenko told Kommersant that throughout 2025, additional expenses for Russian tour operators due to the series of Iran-Israel conflicts totaled 10 billion rubles, with each major player spending at least 700–800 million rubles.

The escalation in the Middle East and mass flight cancellations have affected at least 60,000 tourists abroad — 50,000 in the UAE, 1,000 in Qatar, 700 in Oman, 300 in Bahrain, and another 8,000 stranded in third countries, who were due to return via Middle East connections from South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mauritius, Egypt and other popular destinations.