Russians are increasingly choosing Chechnya as a travel destination, with the number of trips to the republic rising by 15% over the past year. This is according to a joint study by the mobile operator MegaFon and the online booking service Ostrovok, which focuses on tourism in regions with a distinct cultural character.

Tourists are drawn to ancient settlements and high-mountain villages, where they can explore the history, traditional crafts, and cuisine of the Chechen people. Those most interested in cultural tourism in the republic include residents of Moscow and the Moscow region, the Tyumen region, and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. According to MegaFon, travelers in the Caucasus are also showing interest in the traditional lifestyles of the Chechen, Avar, and Dargin peoples.

Meanwhile, demand for accommodation in traditional-style dwellings is growing across Russia. Bookings for *izbas* (traditional log huts), yurts, *chums* (conical tents), *saklyas* (stone dwellings), and Cossack *kurens* (traditional Cossack houses) have increased by 10% over the past year. In the south of the country and the North Caucasus, properties styled as *saklyas* and Cossack *kurens* are particularly popular. On average, a night in such a dwelling costs 11,300 rubles, with bookings typically made for a two-night stay.

Since the beginning of the year, mobile traffic to the official tourism portals of regions offering culturally immersive travel experiences has surged by 83%.

"For these regions, this is an opportunity to showcase their unique cultural identity through tourism infrastructure, while for travelers, it’s a chance to discover new facets of Russia and enjoy an experience that goes beyond a standard hotel stay," noted Darya Kochetkova, Managing Director of the Ostrovok group of companies.