As the 2025 tourist season approaches, Russian hoteliers are facing a number of significant changes that could affect their operations. According to the new Accommodation Classification Rules and Classification Regulations, the hotel category now includes not only traditional hotels, but also aparthotels, sanatoriums, recreation centres and campsites.
In 2024, a bill was actively discussed to amend the regulations on the legal consolidation of the so-called “non-refundable rate” for bookings. However, the bill was withdrawn from consideration.
Arina Dovzhenko, Partner and Head of the real estate and construction practice at Nordic Star Law Offices, emphasises that a non-refundable rate could be an effective tool for reducing accommodation costs for guests and helping hotels to better predict occupancy. The current legislation provides for a “guaranteed reservation”, which allows hotels to charge a fee for the loss of a room if a booking is cancelled, up to one day before arrival. Although the bill has been removed from the agenda, the non-refundable charge remains a pressing issue for the industry and it is possible that the legislator will return to the issue in the future.
The full version of the commentary is available on the CRE website.