Beginning September 1, 2025, Russia’s tourism sector will implement a new set of national regulations that will impact how hotels, sanatoriums, campsites, and other lodging facilities operate and are marketed online.
Under the new policy, only classified accommodation providers listed in an official national registry will be permitted to receive bookings through aggregators and online booking platforms.
The classification system, which officially came into effect on January 1, 2025, requires property owners to conduct a self-assessment of their accommodation offerings based on predefined standards.
This initial evaluation is mandatory and applies to a wide range of accommodations, including hotels, hostels, modular hotels, boarding houses, glamping sites, and campsites.
According to Day.ru, he process involves comparing a property’s amenities, services, accessibility, and physical layout against criteria defined by the Russian government for its specific type of lodging.
A second, voluntary step allows property owners to apply for a formal star rating, from one to five stars, by undergoing a review by accredited organizations.
To receive higher star ratings, properties must meet strict requirements, including specific room sizes, availability of family rooms, accessibility for guests with disabilities, and various service benchmarks.
Once the deadline passes, online booking platforms will delist any properties not included in the national classification registry. While existing bookings made before September 1 will be honored, properties without accreditation will no longer be available for future online reservations.
This shift is expected to increase safety and service quality across the Russian hospitality sector.
The classification process aims to ensure that travelers are offered accommodations that match advertised standards, with required disclosure of accreditation numbers and registry links on official websites and social media pages.
The initiative also introduces regulated requirements for family accommodations and accessibility features.
Owners who do not complete classification will risk exclusion from major digital booking channels, which are vital for attracting new guests. To assist in compliance, several companies now offer consultancy and administrative support for property owners navigating the process.
Sanatoriums, glamping sites, recreation centers, and campsites are all included under the mandatory classification, although short-term rentals of private residential spaces, such as guest houses and apartments, remain exempt.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sectors, the classification offers an opportunity to distinguish their properties through official recognition, potentially enhancing credibility and visibility in a competitive market.
Being listed in the registry may also become an indicator of professionalism and reliability for potential guests.
The reform aligns with broader efforts to improve transparency and consistency across the Russian travel and hospitality industry, ensuring that accommodations meet expectations and are held to nationally recognized standards.