Hospitality Ecosystem Russia

Hospitality Ecosystem

1. Startups

The Russian hospitality sector has seen the emergence of several notable startups:

• Urent: A platform offering short-term rentals of premium cars, catering to travelers seeking luxury experiences
• Travelata: An online travel agency providing package tours, simplifying the booking process for consumers
• Yango: A ride-hailing service expanding its offerings to include transportation solutions for tourists

Global hospitality startups.

2. Companies

Here’s a breakdown of key players shaping Russia’s hospitality landscape, ranging from domestic giants to international operatives:

• AZIMUT Hotels - The largest Russian hotel chain, operating over 60+ hotels with around 11,000 rooms across more than 30 regions. 

• Cosmos Hotel Group - Holds ~36 hotels with about 10,000 rooms across 22 cities

• Safmar Group - Headed by Mikhail Gutseriev’s family, this chain is part of Russia’s notable hospital industry players, with about 10 hotels offering over 4,200 rooms in one region

• Legend Hotel Group - Backed by the En+ Holding (Oleg Deripaska), holds approximately 22 hotels across seven regions with around 1,682 rooms

• Radisson Hotel Group (International) - Maintains a substantial presence in Russia with about 37 hotels and nearly 9,905 rooms across 18 regions

• Accor Group (International) - Also heavily invested prior to current geopolitical developments: around 56 hotels with 9,600 rooms in 23 regions, including brands like Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, and Ibis

• Amaks Hotels & Resorts - A homegrown chain with approximately 27 hotels and 7,170 rooms in 23 regions

• Mantera Group - Mid-sized operator with about 15 hotels and 6,500 rooms across two regions

• Alan Collection & Marton - Smaller yet active chains: Alan Collection holds 5 hotels (~1,629 rooms), Marton operates 38 hotels (~1,500 rooms) across several regions

• Marins Park Hotel, Heliopark Hotels, and Russian Seasons Hotel Group - Recognized domestic chains; Marins Park and Heliopark serve business and leisure locals, while Russian Seasons offers a signature service style across Russia

• International Luxury Brands - Lotte Hotel Moscow: Operated by South Korea’s Lotte Hotels & Resorts, opened in 2010 with around 300 rooms. Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg: A luxury 5-star property managed by Corinthia Hotels—an iconic fixture on Nevsky Prospect with 387 rooms

Global hospitality companies and brands.

3. Investors

Several venture capital firms are actively investing in Russian hospitality startups:

• Admitad Invest: Focuses on digital marketing and e-commerce startups, including those in the hospitality sector.
• Bright Capital: Supports early-stage companies across various industries, with a growing interest in hospitality tech.
• RTP Global: Invests in technology-driven startups, including those innovating within the travel and hospitality space.

Global hospitality and travel investors.

4. Accelerators & Hubs

Russia hosts several accelerators and innovation centers that nurture hospitality startups:

• Skolkovo Innovation Center: Often referred to as Russia's "Silicon Valley," Skolkovo provides a collaborative environment for startups, including those in hospitality tech
• GenerationS: A multi-industry accelerator that has supported various startups, including those in the hospitality sector
• NUMA Moscow: An international tech and innovation hub offering programs to help local entrepreneurs expand, including those in the hospitality industry

• Domits Hospitality Accelerator.

Global hospitality accelerators and global hospitality hubs.

5. People 

• Serge Faguet - A prominent internet entrepreneur, Faguet founded the online travel company Ostrovok.ru, as well as the video communications platform Tokbox and Mirror AI.
• Rustam Topchiev (MOSS Hospitality) - CEO and co-founder of MOSS Hospitality, a forward-thinking lifestyle hospitality group behind projects like the boutique hotel MOSS, and operations of concepts such as Uilliam’s, Ugolёk, and Severyane.
• Anna Endrikhovskaya - Chief Product Officer at MOSS Hospitality and a globally acclaimed hospitality expert.
• Irina Orlandini Avrutskaya - Founder of Like4Like, a consulting firm for hospitality, culture, and tourism development
• Vladislav Zdorenko - CEO of Startupbootcamp Russia, co-founder of Startech.vc, and co-founder of the MIPT accelerator Phystech.Start
• Alexander Galochkin - Founder of TravelLine in 2008, a software developer serving hoteliers with booking systems, channel management, and property management tools. Its solutions are used by over 12,000 hotels across 50+ countries

Global hospitality people.

6. Events

Events are crucial for networking and knowledge sharing:

• Russian Hospitality Forum: An annual event bringing together industry leaders to discuss trends and innovations in hospitality.
• Startup Conferences: Events like Startup Village and Startup Weekend Moscow provide platforms for startups to pitch ideas and connect with investors.

Global hospitality events.

7. Schools

Educational institutions play a vital role in developing talent for the hospitality sector:

• Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU): Offers programs in economics and management, producing graduates who often enter the hospitality industry.
• Higher School of Economics (HSE): Provides courses in business and technology, fostering skills relevant to hospitality startups.

Global hospitality schools.

8. Government

• The Federal Agency for Tourism (Rosturizm) is a federal executive body responsible for rendering state services, managing state property and performing law-enforcement functions in the sphere of tourism.

Looking for global independent strategic advice to grow in hospitality ecosystem? Join our hospitality accelerator, 7-star experience network or contact us.