Nearly 30,000 to 35,000 Russians cancel their plans to visit Goa this season, due to Ukraine-Russia conflict

PANAJI: Each year, according to official statistics, Goa receives about 80,000 to 90,0000 Russian tourists with about 90 per cent of them coming in during the peak tourism months of November to February.

The last two years saw a huge drop in the number of Russian tourists to Goa due to the Covid pandemic, ban on international flights and also the declining rate of the Russian economy and currency.

This year, while tour-operators and the Goan hospitality industry were hoping for a revival, the Russian-Ukraine conflict has dampened the hopes of many Russians travelling to Goa.

According to industry and trade estimates already about 30,000 to 35,000 Russians could have cancelled their plans to visit Goa this season due to various uncertainties including the war.

ALSO READ: More than 6000 British tourists have already cancelled their plans to visit Goa this year?

One of the main reasons is the military mobilization announced by Russian Supremo Vladimir Putin requiring able-bodied individuals to enlist and sign up for military service or other war-related jobs.

Russian Azur Airlines has cancelled all its flights to Goa for October and November and it is unlikely that other Russian charters may be coming to Goa this year, at least till December. What happens in the New Year, will depend largely on the status of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“It all depends on the situation with Ukraine, the power of the Rouble and several other factors,” said a Moscow-based Russian tour operator to Goa – who didn’t want to be named, that specializes in providing packages to Russians destined to Goa.

Russian carrier Aeroflot Airlines was scheduled to commence regular passenger flights from Moscow to Goa from next month, but this is yet to be confirmed.

ALSO READ: 13-14 charter flights in October from Russia to Goa cancelled, possibly due to Russia-Ukraine war

Tourist charter flights from Europe, UK and Russia to Goa, account for approximately 90 percent of the tourists coming to the coastal state.

Several thousand British tourists have already cancelled their plans to come to Goa (Read Here) this season due to visa issues and problems getting visa interview slots in their country.

A last-minute rule change made it mandatory for UK citizens to be present in person to obtain an Indian tourist visa and the interview slots are booked till December at the tourist points designated by the visa authorities.

Trade sources pointed out that about 40,000 to 50,000 tourists from the UK visit Goa annually and the “number could drastically reduce” this season.

With a drastic drop in Russian and British tourists to Goa, several mid-range hotels in North Goa, which cater exclusively to British and European tourists are going empty with hundreds of cancellations daily.