‘How Ukraine/Russia war is affecting global tourism’

Destination Ukraine/Russia remains a no go area for travellers, as the war between both countries shows no sign of abating.

Aside being a humanitarian tragedy and widespread economic damage across the globe, the war by Russia on Ukraine has caused major setback on travel and tourism.

Although the war is taking its toll globally, it has mostly affected Europe’s tourism sector, leading to a loss of Russian and Ukrainian tourists, restrictions on airlines and use of airspace, higher food and fuel costs, and a big hit to traveler confidence and disposable incomes.

With forecasts of fewer than 2 million Russian tourists in 2022 and a US$3 billion to US$4 billion drop in tourism revenues, the change has led to job losses, just as fuel and other prices increase.

Prior to Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, tourists from both countries usually spend around 45 billion US dollars per year on outbound travel, much of it in the countries of emerging Europe.

According to the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro, Milena Vujović, Russia and Ukraine represented one of the most important markets for Montenegro as a tourist destination in the last few years and both countries were among the top five countries from which the largest number of tourists came.

“Before the war tourists from Russia and Ukraine made up 15.8 per cent of foreign visitors and 21 per cent of those that stay in the country overnight.”