43 stories found
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused a 'deep state' of plotting to scare off Russian tourists and harm Georgia's economy, also alleging foreign actors previously pushed Georgia to open a 'second front' against Russia.
Georgia's State Security Service is investigating foreign-controlled 'bot accounts' on X that spread false claims about the mistreatment of Russian tourists, including boasts of urinating and spitting in their food.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed condolences to the family of two Russian siblings killed in a high-profile murder case in Thailand and apologized to Russian tourists and the Russian people over the incident.
Ukrainian drone and missile attacks on Crimea in spring and early summer have led to a mass cancellation of guest house reservations by Russian tourists, impacting the region's tourism sector.
A Russian couple was detained in Istanbul and faces deportation after being caught reading the Bible inside the Hagia Sophia.
Slovakia has suspended the issuance of short-stay Schengen visas for Russian nationals, effective through the summer. This measure impacts Russian tourists seeking to enter the Schengen area via Slovakia.
Twenty-four Filipino workers detained in Yakutsk, Russia, have returned home following discussions between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The release was a result of diplomatic efforts between the two leaders.
The tourism season in Crimea is collapsing as Russian tourists are massively canceling their reservations, despite the peninsula being a traditional summer destination.
The Dutch government has backed a Swedish proposal to restrict Russian tourists from travelling to the European Union.
A hovercraft accident on Russia's Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake, has resulted in the deaths of five Russian tourists. The incident turned a tourist excursion into a tragedy.
A record number of Russian tourists are visiting Vietnam, attracted by increased direct flights, visa policies, and affordable prices, with one city reportedly "occupied" by them.
Russian media, including St. Petersburg newspaper Fontanka, extensively reported on Russian tourists stranded at Helsinki-Vantaa airport, covering both their initial dissatisfaction and later gratitude.
A visa-free policy implemented by China has led to a more than 60% increase in inbound Russian tourists to Northeast China's Heilongjiang province over the past six months.
A shopping center in Lappeenranta, Finland, is facing difficulties with vacant retail space and is undergoing corporate restructuring. The city is looking to attract industrial businesses to compensate for the loss of Russian tourists.
Cuba is grappling with a major energy crisis and fuel shortages, leading to the cancellation of its renowned cigar festival, a situation exacerbated by a US blockade on oil shipments.
Eastern Virumaa in Estonia is experiencing a hotel boom, despite losing Russian tourists, with the development boosted by EU green transition funding aimed at attracting new visitors.
Georgia's State Security Service has initiated a 'sabotage' investigation into an alleged bot campaign. The campaign reportedly spread fake reports portraying Georgia as unfavorable to Russian tourists.
Some Russian tour operators are facing significant issues as Greece has rejected up to 50% of Schengen visa applications from their clients during the peak season.
Estonia's Interior Minister, Lauri Läänemets, is advocating for a stricter visa regime for Russian citizens, stating that allowing Russian tourists into Europe is immoral. He insists on tighter controls amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Eastern Finland is looking for new international tourism approaches to fill the void left by the disappearance of Russian tourists, prompting a decision on its future as a travel destination.
Tourism in Eastern Finland is recovering from the decline in Russian tourists, with hopes for a significant influx of summer tourists from Central Europe to boost tourism revenue, particularly in areas popular with international visitors.
Several European Union countries, notably Finland and Sweden, are expressing a strong disinterest in welcoming Russian tourists, marking a significant shift from past attitudes.
Efforts to isolate Crimea are intensifying, impacting bridges and trains, leading to a reduction in fuel rations to 20 liters per car per week. The tourist season in Crimea is collapsing as Russians massively cancel reservations, while Z-channels criticize Putin.
Several European Union countries are advocating for stricter visa regulations for Russian tourists, aiming to limit their entry into Europe. This move comes amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, though some, like the widow of Alexei Navalny, argue it could be counterproductive.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has expressed deep criticism towards EU countries that continue to allow Russian tourists to enter.
Russian tourists are increasingly visiting Heihe, China, contributing to the bustling activity of its morning market and local economy.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during a phone call that Türkiye is willing to host the next round of talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Passengers described days of anxiety as they received little clarity or assistance from either the cruise operator or the Russian Embassy in Qatar.
North Korea's 'luxurious' Wonsan Kalma coastal resort, initially planned as a major tourism project, has become a laughingstock as it now only admits Russian tourists, excluding all others.
Dictator Kim Jong Un seeks to draw Russian tourists to North Korea, specifically to the revamped resort town of Wonsan, though only a few have visited so far, offering glimpses into the secluded destination.
Russian tourists at an all-inclusive hotel in Turkey reportedly overstepped boundaries by taking excessive amounts of food from the restaurant and attempting to destroy evidence in the toilet.
Despite air raid alerts and oil spills affecting Russian tourist destinations along the Black Sea due to Ukrainian attacks, beaches remain crowded with Russian holidaymakers.
A Russian couple was detained in Istanbul for reading from the Bible inside the historic Hagia Sophia, a monument that remains a significant Christian site despite its conversion to a mosque.
Crimea is experiencing significant shortages of fuel, water, and power, impacting daily life for residents. Despite these critical infrastructure issues, the region continues to attract Russian tourists.
Crimea is experiencing significant issues with security, logistics, electricity, and fuel, leading many Russian tourists to cancel their holidays as the peninsula increasingly becomes isolated.
A Lithuanian tourist in Turkey experienced hotels that have started refusing Russian tourists, a trend driven by demand from other nationalities since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The European Commission announced on June 5 its intention to tighten Schengen visa requirements for Russian citizens. This move comes amid political backlash against France, Italy, and Spain for continuing to receive large numbers of Russian tourists.
Hundreds of thousands of Russian tourists continue to receive visas to Europe annually despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, sparking anger in Sweden.
The number of Russian tourists visiting Europe is steadily increasing, with EU countries issuing over 620,000 visas to Russian citizens in 2025, a 10.2% increase from 2024, primarily from Italy, France, and Spain.
The Sierra Leone-flagged oil tanker Altura, carrying Russian oil and subject to sanctions, was attacked by a drone in the Black Sea near Turkey, marking one of several recent incidents involving sanctioned vessels in the region.
The Russian ambassador to Cyprus stated that EU sanctions have led to an annual revenue loss of over €1 billion for the Cypriot economy due to the lack of Russian tourists, prompting calls from Cypriot businesses for their return.
Americans stranded in Dubai face repeated flight cancelations as State Department urges U.S. citizens to leave the Middle East due to escalating conflict.
A video showing Russian tourists fleeing a 'controlled snow avalanche' has gone viral on social media, capturing the dramatic moment of the event.