Decreased demand from Russian tourists for travel to European destinations, as well as sanctions and shortages direct flights prevent their entry into European countries. As stated german waveOn February 24, when Russian missiles were flying over Ukraine, the citizens of Russia did not know what was in store for them. The ruble collapsed, access to their foreign bank accounts was closed, and their credit cards were disabled. “The last thing anyone could think of was going abroad,” Olga Smislaveva of the Wanderlust travel agency in Moscow recalls in an interview with DW. “Interest in travel at the end of February and March was practically zero, except, of course, for business and family trips abroad. Bookings already made were canceled, and new ones were practically not added to them.

Since May, some wealthy Russians have resumed overseas trips to the Maldives, Mauritius and Turkey.

Only in May did some wealthy Russians dare to travel abroad again to the Maldives, Mauritius and Turkey, according to a Deutsche Welle report. Demand for premium travel and luxury destinations has risen again. “People began to adapt to the new reality and made efforts to live in it,” sums up Ms. Smislaveva.

However, there is also a holiday trend in Turkey that continues to this day, notes Artur Muradyan of Space Travel. Also, the bookings of Russian tourists to Greece and Italy have not stopped: “For wealthy Russians with a valid Schengen visa, the suspension of direct flights to EU countries was not a problem,” he tells DW. Luxury holiday destinations are also in high demand “in countries favorable to Russian tourists,” elaborates Mr. Muradyan, who puts the UAE at the top of the list for bookings for the coming autumn and winter along with Southeast Asian countries: “Fortunately, air service is there.” very good,” he says with satisfaction. In addition, he notes, travel abroad for Russians has become even cheaper, as the ruble began to rise again against the euro and the dollar.

Demand for travel to Europe has declined, according to a DW report. This is due to two factors: the lack of direct flights and sanctions against Russia: “No one wants to travel to unfriendly countries because no one can know in advance whether it can be used against them in the future,” says Muradyan characteristically. . According to the Russian government, the so-called “unfriendly states” include all EU countries. But what about rich Russians? Can they still freely charter yachts and private jets in the West? Olga Smyslayeva notes that “so far there are no restrictions on this type of service. Fortunately, not yet.” The question is rather how this luxury will be paid for. At least technically, since Visa and Mastercard issued in Russia are no longer valid in the West. Bank deposits have also become difficult, but nothing is impossible yet, the travel agent stresses.