Russian tour operators expecting demand for Abkhazia tours to recover
MOSCOW. March 4 (Interfax) - Tour operators are expecting the situation in Abkhazia to improve after the election and demand for this popular travel destination to recover, the press service for the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) said.
"We are expecting the situation in Abkhazia to normalize. We are hoping there will be no problems with the opposition and demand will start growing, irrespective of the situation in Anapa. Abkhazia has been doing quite well in the past two years, and our sales have doubled. We explain that with the relocation of certain tourists from Crimea. Besides, prices are much lower than in Sochi," Multitur Product Director Yevgeniya Kizei said.
The number of hotels is gradually increasing in Abkhazia, as Russian investors open hotels accommodating needs of modern tourists, such as buffet catering and swimming pools. Rooms in these facilities are booked in the first turn, she said.
Two opposing factors are influencing demand for Abkhazia tours: the negative background related to elections lowers demand, while the unclear situation in Anapa increases it, the press service quoted Turplatforma General Director Sergei Tolchin as saying. Some tourists are also eyeing Abkhazia, which is good for family vacation with children.
"In the end, there is neither decline nor growth for this destination, which is waiting for news, including Rospotrebnadzor's decision on Anapa. Mostly, hotels where reservations can be easily cancelled without penalty in case of any change are now booked," Tolchin said.
Badra Gunba, who served as vice president since March 2020 and became acting president after the resignation of Aslan Bzhania, won the runoff presidential election in Abkhazia on March 2.
Traditionally, Abkhazia is a very popular destination for Russian tourists. According to the Federal Security Service's Border Service, Abkhazia saw 4.66 million Russian arrivals, including 372,000 tourist arrivals, in January-September 2024. Abkhaz statistical data says that about 1.5 million Russian tourists spend their vacations in Abkhazia each year.
