The expert noted a decrease in demand from tourists for vacations in Abkhazia by more than 20%

Among tourists there is a noticeable decrease in demand for vacations in Abkhazia by more than 20%. This was stated by Oksana Bulakh, an expert on domestic tourism of the Russian Union of Travel Industry, to Izvestia on January 30.

She noted that the events that occurred in the fall of 2024 in Abkhazia, caused a large number of questions among tourists, because many are now waiting for elections in the country and clarification of the situation.

"What course Abkhazia will take, and depending on this demand will grow or remain at the same level. Now we see a decrease in demand by more than 20% compared to the same period last year," - said Bulakh.

The expert drew attention to the fact that the interest of tourists to this destination depends on how the elections will be held and the situation in the country will change.

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Earlier, on December 13, 2024, vice-president of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) Artur Muradyan said that due to restrictions on tourist flow Russian tourists cannot visit Abkhazia. He called it an "educational process". However, it is important to take into account that this does not prevent tourists from buying tickets to Abkhazia and paying for accommodation on their own.

On November 15 last year the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation recommended tour operators to temporarily suspend the sale of tours to Abkhazia.

In turn, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said that Russian citizens were advised to refrain from traveling to Abkhazia. According to her, the opposition of Abkhazia refused a civilized approach to the settlement of differences with the legitimate authorities of the country, provoking an escalation of the conflict.

On November 11, 2024, eyewitnesses reported clashes near the building of the State Security Service (SGB) of Abkhazia. Later, Abkhazian Prosecutor General Adgur Agrba reported that operatives identified, detained and placed several people in the Interior Ministry's temporary detention center, later they were released. Later, on November 15 of the same year, protests were held in Sukhumi in front of the building of the parliament of the republic.