Has the loss of Russian tourism dealt a blow to Europe?

2023-06-16 07:55:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Russian tourists are a thing of the past in Europe, following the Kremlin's devastating invasion of Ukraine. But what impact has this had?

If you're looking for Russian tourists in Europe this summer, they're likely to be harder to spot than ever.

According to Schengen Visa Info, there were 90% fewer Russian visitors to Europe, and as this year's summer tourist season approaches, this figure is unlikely to change at all.

While wealthier Russians continue to visit the region, middle-class tourists have almost entirely disappeared, citing difficulties and rising logistical costs.

The reason, of course, is Russia's deadly invasion of Ukraine, which has prompted the West to erect barriers not seen since the dark days of the Cold War in support of its embattled ally.

But what effect does this loss of Russian tourists have on Europe?

We look at two destinations that border Russia, and two destinations that welcomed tens of thousands of Russian tourists to learn more:

Latvia

Latvia has long been a magnet for Russian travelers, due to its location and historical ties as part of the Soviet Union.

The tiny Baltic state's vibrant tourism industry was hit by the COVID pandemic, like many others, but the loss of visitors from Russia really set it off.

In solidarity with Ukraine, Russian tourists were banned in September 2022, with the country's foreign minister Edgar Rinkevics tweeting: "you are not welcome here - you need to end the war against Ukraine and leave that beautiful country !"

"Russia was an important market," Vladislavs Korjagins, CEO of Baltic Travel Group, told Euronea. "Of course we miss him."

"From an economic point of view, this decision may not have helped local businesses. But, at the political level, we support Ukraine."

finland

About 1.2 million Russian travelers traveled by bus or car over the border in eastern Finland each year, before the Kremlin's full takeover, official figures show.

While some were checking into hotels, most were spending money in local supermarkets - an average of €170 per day in the town of Lappeenranta.

But much of the tourism infrastructure in Finland's Lakeland district did not necessarily rely on Russian tourists, despite their large volume.

Spain

Not only those on Russia's borders are affected.

Although the country was never a major source of visitors to Spain, dwarfed by the English, Germans and French, Russians were one of the fastest-growing groups in recent years, according to data from the Salou Cambrils La Pineda Hotels Association.

About 1.3 million Russian travelers arrived in the southern European country in 2019, representing 1.3% of the total, according to Spain's National Institute of Statistics.

However, their absence is still felt, especially as some areas depended more on Russian tourists than others, such as the Costa Dorada, where they represented between 10% and 15% of all visitors.

"Last year the effects of the lack of tourism were clear and this year it is also visible," said Albert Save, President of the Costa Dorada Hotel Association, in Catalonia, to Euronea.

It says there were 1,290,000 overnight stays in the area in 2019, which has now gone to zero - bar "one or two Russians" who come by car either through Turkey or Finland.

What set the Russians apart, Savé continues, was the high level of luxury consumption, which supported local specialty businesses.

Czech Republic

Czech cities have seen a sharp decline in wealthy Russian visitors, as has Spain.

The cities of Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne saw a glimmer of hope when UNESCO listed them as World Heritage Sites in 2021.

But their joy was short-lived.

When Russian tanks steamed across the Ukrainian border, the central European country joined European sanctions imposed on the country. The share of Russian customers - their biggest spenders, who also stay much longer than locals - fell from 61,000 in 2019 to just a few thousand last year.

However, the loss of Russian tourists was only part of their problems.

Cities are also facing staff shortages, with Czech unemployment at 3.5% over the past two years, and inflation only now falling from a record high of 18% in September./ CNA