How conflict continues to shape Russian tourism in 2023

After 14 months of continued fighting in Eastern Ukraine, Russian citizens are looking to evade conscription, but not all nations are on board.

While much of the world is united in the way of foreign aid to Ukraine and sanctions against the Russian economy, things are slightly different when it comes to Russians looking to head abroad.

For example, in the European Union and Britain numbers from the Russian Federation have dropped by 99 per cent, whereas Egypt has seen a 181 per cent increase.

Bali quickly became a hot spot for Russians looking to holiday, or avoid conscription to the Russian army with tens of thousands flocking to the country due to its accessible ‘Visa on arrival’.

The visa does not require any paperwork and is granted after paying a small fee on arrival. However, following the deportation of four Russian Nationals in March alone due to visa violations, the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster announced that access to the visa on arrival program would be revoked.

Indonesia arrival visa closeup. (iStock – undefined)

Thailand is another nation that has seen an increase in arrivals from Russia, in particular in the resort island Phuket with over 233,000 landing between 1 November 2022 and 21 January 2023.

Dar, a masseuse who formerly worked in Russia and moved back to Phuket told Al Jazeera (under a fake name), “The women tell me they are desperate to get their husbands, boyfriends or children to come over here to stay, so they come over first and find houses and try to make visas for their men,” she said.

Beach in Phuket, Thailand. (Image: VOA News)

In Greece, the INSETE (the national tourism confederation) recently stated that overall tourism related revenue is down 575.5 million Euro (AUD$930 million), largely linked to the decline in Russian tourism as well as lower cruise ship arrivals.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand has seen Russian tourists make up 27 per cent of all tourists in recent months, with 29,084 arriving in February alone according to Aviation & Aviation Services Sri Lanka. Other leading countries for Russian tourist arrivals include Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

Featured Image: Egypt Independent

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