Russia’s tourism board still bafflingly trying to get visitors to the country
Russian woman on ‘terrible suffering’ in Ukraine
Russia’s tourism board is still trying to lure visitors to the country in complete oblivion to the current geopolitical crisis caused by Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine. The body’s Twitter account posts pictures of tourist locations in Russia every day, inviting people to visit despite its raging war.
On Wednesday, it posted a photo of the Dzivgis Fortress in Ossetia inviting people to visit “the largest cave castle in the region: it comprises seven defensive fortifications, built at the entrances to the natural caves”. Adding: “Better to see once than to hear about it a hundred times. Visit Russia.”
On Tuesday, the same account showed photos of the Valdaysky National Park.
The post read: “Located on the Valdai Hills on the Russian Plain, it’s a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central Russia and a home to 700+ types of plants, 14 of which are in the Red Book.”
Travel to and from Russia has been limited since the beginning of the war on Ukraine in February 2022.
Like many Western countries, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been advising against “all travel to the whole of Russia due to the lack of available flight options to return to the UK”.
In its latest update, the FCDO wrote: “If your presence in Russia is not essential, we strongly advise that you consider leaving by remaining commercial routes.
“If you decide to remain in Russia, keep your departure plans under constant review and ensure your travel documents are up to date. Monitor the media and this travel advice regularly.
“On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large scale invasion of Ukraine which is ongoing. International and domestic response to this action is affecting conditions within Russia and for those traveling to Russia in a number of ways.
“If you are in Russia, it is not possible to fly directly to the UK, or via EU countries. Check the latest information with your airline or travel provider. Connecting flights, largely via the Middle East, Serbia and Turkey are operational for travel from Russia to the UK and other destinations. However, demand is currently high and flights may sell out quickly.
“In May 2022, the UK government designated Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, Ural Airlines and Russian Railways for the purposes of UK sanctions. This means that British nationals and others who are bound by UK sanctions are prohibited from entering into transactions which result in making funds directly or indirectly available to these companies, such as purchasing tickets from them.
“However, the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation has issued a general licence which means that for journeys originating in, or within, Russia, British nationals may purchase tickets from these companies without breaching UK sanctions.”
It added: “MasterCard and Visa have suspended operations in Russia. This means that MasterCard and Visa cards issued outside of Russia will not work at Russian merchants or ATMs. Cards issued inside Russia continue to work in Russia but they will not work outside of Russia. Be aware that it may not be possible for you to access your funds through Russian banks or to make payments to Russian businesses with non-Russian credit/debit cards.”
Source: Read Full Article