Crimea's tourist season collapses as one million trips canceled amid attacks

The summer tourist season in Crimea has collapsed, with approximately one million trips canceled by the end of July, according to the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR). The Russian government has responded by allocating over 4.3 billion rubles (around 49.3 million euros) from its reserve fund to support the tourism sector in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol.

Moscow claims thousands of businesses have suffered consequences from intensified Ukrainian attacks. This aid comes as Kyiv escalates its strikes on Russian logistics and infrastructure connected to the peninsula. Parts of Crimea are experiencing fuel shortages, power outages, and water supply problems, severely impacting the summer tourist season.

The government stated the funds will assist employees of over 4,600 tourism-related businesses that are in a "difficult situation" due to the attacks. Of the total, 3.7 billion rubles will go to Crimea and 584.5 million rubles to Sevastopol.

Social media footage depicts mostly empty beaches during what should be the peak of the summer tourist season. One widely shared video shows a woman remarking on the unusual emptiness of a promenade. The value of canceled bookings is estimated between 20 and 25 billion rubles (229 to 287 million euros), with tour operators facing losses of 5 to 7 billion rubles. ATOR has requested temporary relief for tour agencies and hotels, including deferred tax and contribution payments.

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There is absolutely no one here. It seems so unusual – the new promenade is completely empty.