Key facts
- Russians are facing gasoline shortages and drone attack risks impacting holiday plans.
- The tourism sector in Russia is experiencing significant disruption, with millions of cancelled bookings to Crimea.
- Security concerns, including missile threat warnings and air raid sirens, are becoming a part of holiday planning.
- Ukraine's intensified drone strikes deep inside Russia are a contributing factor to these disruptions.
- Many Russians are opting for international travel over domestic holidays due to the war's impact.
Even as Russians seek relaxation on the Black Sea coast, the ongoing war in Ukraine is increasingly intruding on their holiday experiences. Widespread gasoline shortages and the persistent threat of drone attacks are forcing holidaymakers to alter their plans and consider security risks as a primary factor in their travel decisions.
The tourism and leisure sector is feeling the strain. In Anapa, a popular resort town, businesses are struggling with a significant drop in customers. One bistro owner cited a lack of customers as the reason for remaining closed, while a hotel owner described the season as a 'collapse' due to drastically reduced occupancy.
While some hotels report high occupancy, managers acknowledge the market's volatility, with shorter booking windows reflecting uncertainty about the future. The situation is particularly acute in Crimea, annexed by Russia, which has suffered fuel and power outages attributed to Ukrainian attacks, leading to a million cancelled trips and substantial financial losses for tour operators.
Consequently, more Russians are choosing to holiday abroad, with Turkey and Egypt emerging as popular destinations. Despite the challenges, some locals and tourists are attempting to maintain a positive outlook, acknowledging the risks but expressing a desire to adapt and remain alert. The war, once an event many tried to ignore, is now an inescapable reality impacting daily life, even during leisure time.