Loss of Russian Tour Companies Could Be 5 Billion Rubles

The loss of Russian tour companies could be 5 billion rubles. Officials say this amount could increase even more.

Yuriy Barzikin, Vice President of the Russian Tourism Association, pointed out that the loss of the companies reached 5 billion rubles as Russia temporarily restricted flights with Turkey and said, "We hope to compensate for the losses with the resumption of flights with Turkey on June 1." Barzikin spoke to the news agency TASS in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Explaining that after the restriction of flights with Turkey, the Russian tourism industry suffered significant losses, Barzıkin reported that they made some calculations regarding the total loss. Barzıkin used the following statements regarding the issue: "The loss of tour companies may be at least 5 billion rubles (about 500 million TL) or more. This does not include those planning to take a transit flight through Istanbul." Stating that they expect the government to initiate a subsidy program for airlines and tour operators, Barzikin said, "We hope to compensate the losses with the resumption of flights with Turkey on June 1." Making a statement on the subject on April 12, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova announced the decision to restrict normal and charther flights between Turkey and Russia between April 15 and June 1.