The tourist season in Crimea was cut short

The tourist season in annexed Crimea is under threat. Due to fuel shortages, power outages, and transportation problems, Russian tourists are canceling their trips en masse, and representatives of the tourism industry are asking the Russian authorities to urgently intervene in the situation.

According to Krym.Realii, the problems have affected nearly all of the peninsula’s resort regions. Due to power restrictions, many cities are on a rolling blackout schedule, and water supply often cuts out along with the electricity.

The situation is most dire in Yalta. There, the local occupation authorities have imposed strict energy conservation measures. Businesses have been ordered to turn off air conditioners, outdoor advertising, facade lighting, and other energy-intensive devices. Street lighting has been reduced by nearly half.

On July 13, due to a power shortage, emergency blackouts began simultaneously along the entire southern coast of Crimea—from the village of Utyos to Partenit, as well as in Alushta, Malorichensky, and Privetny.

Restrictions are also in effect in Saki, and residents of Feodosia and Sudak report half-empty beaches even in the height of summer.

According to the Association of Russian Tour Operators, by the end of June, the number of canceled trips to Crimea and Sevastopol had reached about one million. The total value of canceled bookings is estimated at 20–25 billion rubles.

As a result, Russian tour operators have appealed to the Russian government to allow them to reschedule vacations or refund tourists by the end of the year. They claim that without state support, many companies will be unable to meet their financial obligations.

The Russian “Alliance of Travel Agencies” has also issued a similar appeal. The organization reported that tourists are already facing delays or refusals to receive refunds for canceled trips. The organization is asking for subsidies to be allocated to both tour operators and Crimean hotels so that they can reimburse customers and retain employees.

At the same time, the Russian-controlled Ministry of Resorts and Tourism of Crimea stated that the mass cancellations of reservations constitute a force majeure event. This could exempt the parties from fines and penalties in the event of legal disputes, but it does not eliminate the obligation to refund tourists for unused accommodations.

There has been no public response from the Russian government to the tourism industry’s request so far.

Earlier, Ukraine launched a new phase of its campaign to isolate occupied Crimea by striking Russian ships in the Azov and Black Seas. According to the Defense Forces, the goal of the operation is to disrupt the occupiers’ logistics and hinder the delivery of fuel and military supplies to the peninsula.

Ірина Глухова