Lithuanian Tourist Experiences Turkish Hotel Marketed as 'No Russian Tourists'

A Lithuanian tourist experienced a stay at the 'Luna Vista Belek,' a five-star, ultra-all-inclusive hotel in Turkey's Antalya region, which advertises itself as a destination free of Russian tourists. This particular feature is highlighted as a significant advantage, especially for travelers from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, and Ukraine, who frequently inquire about the presence of Russian guests. According to Yuliya Gubenko, a representative for the Ukrainian-owned tour operator 'Join Up!', some travelers avoid Russian tourists not solely due to the war, but also based on past experiences with them being perceived as noisier and more prone to conflict. This sentiment is shared by repeat visitors to Turkey. While the 'Luna Vista Belek' hotel, recently renovated, does not display overt signs against Russian guests at its entrance or reception, its staff greets visitors in English, German, and Russian, the most common languages spoken by tourists in the Antalya region. The hotel avoids direct cooperation with Russian tour operators, which is the primary method for filtering guests. However, the hotel does not prevent independent Russian travelers from booking stays, though this is reportedly uncommon. The hotel is renowned for its quality food and a wide array of international beverages. During the tourist's visit, the hotel was fully occupied, with all rooms booked. The Lithuanian visitor observed that while the hotel's policy aims to limit Russian tourists, the Russian language is still audible, as it is widely spoken by tourists from various former Soviet bloc countries, including Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Moldovans, and Ukrainians. Despite the hotel's efforts, the tourist noted that the general behavior of guests, such as excessive sunbathing leading to sunburns and overindulgence at restaurants and bars, appears consistent across nationalities, suggesting that the 'no Russian tourists' policy does not fundamentally alter the typical all-inclusive resort experience.