In Crimea, health resorts closed early after a disastrous season

In the temporarily occupied Crimea, health resorts, vacation homes, and recreational centers are ending their season early due to a drop in demand, transportation problems, fuel shortages, and prolonged power outages. Some establishments ceased operations as early as September, and employees are reporting pay cuts and layoffs.

According to Krym.Realii, from January through August 2026, bookings at Crimean sanatoriums fell by 14% compared to last year. And by the end of the first half of the year, the number of visitors had decreased by 6%.

In the fall, the peninsula accounted for only 1% of sanatorium vacation bookings in Russia and lost its place among the top ten most popular destinations. The occupying administration is trying to stimulate demand with an advertising campaign titled “We Are Together. Crimea” and discounts of up to 40%.

At the same time, it has become more difficult to reach the peninsula. Due to problems with the railway, passengers are forced to transfer to buses, while delays and fuel shortages complicate travel by car. Some tourists are also wary of traveling there due to the security situation.

Prolonged power outages have become an additional burden for businesses. Running generators requires significant expenses, while fuel is hard to find. In the western part of Crimea, some small guesthouses and vacation resorts closed as early as September.

Business owners report canceled reservations and debts following investments in a season that failed to meet expectations. Employees are being laid off, switched to part-time schedules, and have had their wages cut. Some employees are receiving only a portion of their earnings.

These problems have also affected the Russian tourism market as a whole: according to industry estimates, sales of health resort packages in Russia have fallen by 20–25% over the past year. In Crimea, they say, the decline is even more pronounced.

Андрій Колісніченко