If the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues, many destinations will be affected by a reduction in tourist flows. The tourism intelligence platform Mabrian Technologies has developed a map showing the top 20 countries with the highest tourist dependence on the Russian market, from the point of view of air connectivity.
The country with the most flights and seats scheduled from Russia is Turkey, with nearly 2 million tickets scheduled for the next six months. It is followed by Ukraine, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates and Tajikistan. The top 10 destinations dependent on Russian travelers include countries such as Germany, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus.
Tourism in Cyprus accounts for around 25 per cent of GDP, reports Euronews. Russians make up 20 per cent of all international tourists in the country, the second biggest market after the UK. The tourism ministry is planning for the worst case scenario: the complete loss of some 800,000 tourists from both Russia and Ukraine.
Thailand did not ban flights operated by Russia but, because of international airspace restrictions, some companies – such as the Russian airline Aeroflot – canceled their connections, leaving the affected tourists to find alternative routes themselves, for example via the Middle East with different airlines.
This is a major regional crisis with potentially disastrous implications the world over. Decisions made will affect the lives of millions of people.
UN World Tourism Organisation
Thousands of Russian tourists have remained stranded in Thailand with many complications to return to their country because of international sanctions adopted against Russia in the wake of the war in Ukraine, Thai authorities have reported. Many of the tourists returning to Thailand’s shores since the country eased restrictions linked to Covid-19 were Russians.
In total, 3,100 Russians were blocked in Phuket, while there are just over 2,000 in Samuy. There were also Russian tourists in Krabi, Phang Nga and Bangkok, said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, head of the administration that manages tourism in Thailand.
Many tourists were also affected by the suspension of Visa and Mastercard operations. “We have seen Russians having problems paying by card in Phuket,” said Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourism Association.
