Abkhazia was taken off pause: Russian tourists have increased demand for holidays in the republic

The demand for trips to Abkhazia has started to grow, and it is expected to increase further in the coming weeks. On March 14, the Russian Foreign Ministry cancelled the recommendations to refrain from traveling to this country. Following him, the Ministry of Economic Development lifted its restrictions, including those related to the sale of tours to Abkhazia. They were introduced back in November last year. But, given the nuances of legislation, tours to the country were sold, Russians visited Abkhazia. The flow has dropped, but is now resuming. Read the Izvestia article about which resorts and hotels our tourists choose, which novelties are worth paying attention to, what is available in Abkhazia with cashless payment, and whether direct flights to Sukhum will fly.

Sales are expected to peak in April.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, given the stabilization of the situation in Abkhazia, Russians wishing to visit the republic can begin preparations for the trip. In addition, the ministry recalled the reconstruction of the airport and the first test flight from Moscow to Sukhum. The resumption of direct flights is expected by early summer.

Even before the cancellation of the recommendations, operators could sell tours to Abkhazia. Tourists usually book only accommodation in the republic, without a road. And this, according to the legislation, is not a tourist product and was not formally subject to restrictions. And the recommendations of both ministries not to visit the country did not mean a ban at all. However, of course, both political unrest and the position of Russian agencies have affected demand.

"Abkhazia was, one might say, on pause. The tourists' wait—and-see attitude has become quite clear," Sergey Romashkin, ATOR Vice President and CEO of Dolphin, told Izvestia. — During the winter months, demand fell by about 15% compared to last year. And after the [presidential] elections, calls and inquiries began. I think that in a couple of weeks we will compensate for this decline in Abkhazia."

Evgenia Kizey, Product Director at Multitour, estimated the winter demand reduction at 20%. "The second round of elections was held without unrest, and for the second week in a row we have recorded growth. The number of applications has increased at least 2.5 times. Bookings will probably continue at the same pace," she noted.

The Alean tour operator reported that about 30% of tours to Abkhazia for the summer have now been sold. The company confirmed that this year the demand in this direction intensified later than in the past: they began to book trips more actively in March, after the second round of elections in the republic. Sales are expected to peak in April.

Will we fly to Sukhum

There is no exact information about the launch of direct flights from Russia to Abkhazia yet. It is expected that a direct message will appear from Moscow, possibly from Tatarstan, since it is there that the YUVT Aero airline, which made a test flight, is based.

The Ministry of Energy and Transport of Abkhazia reported that it is working on the issue of organizing direct flights with the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Komi Republic and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. In addition, the Mayor of Nizhny Novgorod, Yuri Shalabaev, confirmed the region's willingness to cooperate in this area.

However, according to experts, Sukhumi Airport is unlikely to play an important role in the tourist flow to Abkhazia this year. "First of all, it's not working yet, we have to wait for it to open. Currently, about 30-35% of tours to Abkhazia have been sold, and by May it will be 50%. That is, every week of delay is a minus from the expected tourist flow," explained Sergey Romashkin.

Tourists who plan to visit Abkhazia book flights to Adler. "There's a geography of flights, if I'm not mistaken, 85-90 cities, hundreds of flights a day. That is, it is not enough for Sukhumi Airport to enter the market in a timely manner, it is also necessary to compete with a very powerful competitor," the expert explained. — I believe that this is still the story of 2026, because they are late in entering the market and with the sale of air tickets. It should have been done now."

There is another problem. According to media reports, the Georgian aviation authorities intend to seek a ban from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on regular flights of Russian airlines to Sukhum, Interfax writes with reference to the publication. bm.ge .

Plus 15% of the tourist flow

But if the flights take place, tourists will certainly be attracted by the opportunity to fly directly to Abkhazia. Intourist noted that due to the launch of Sukhumi airport, demand is expected to increase and tourist traffic to Abkhazia will increase by 15-20%. Resorts such as the capital itself and its districts, as well as New Athos and Gudauta, remote from the Russian-Abkhazian land border, will be in more active demand.

Multitour estimated the possible increase at 10-15% with an increase in demand for that part of Abkhazia near Sukhum, which tourists usually chose last.

Alean stressed that demand will depend on the capacity of the airline, the number of departure cities, flight regularity, and prices. "It should also be taken into account that, for example, Gagra, which is popular with tourists, is closer to the border with Russia than to Sukhum, and it may be more convenient for Russian tourists to get to the resort from Adler airport," the experts noted. - And for those who stay in a hotel in Sukhum or New Athos, on the contrary, the Abkhazian airport may be convenient."

Everything is included and even chacha

Now, the company added, hotels in Gagra, Pitsunda, and Gudauta are in the greatest demand for the summer. Intourist noted that Russians are interested in mid-range and higher-end hotels with swimming pools and well-developed infrastructure.

Most of all, and this is confirmed by almost all experts, hotels operating on the "full board" and "all inclusive" systems are booked. There are no serious differences between the local All inclusive and the one offered, for example, in Anapa, representatives of the tourism industry say. "It is distinguished only by authentic Caucasian hospitality, the presence of local cuisine, Abkhazian wine and chacha," the operator's press service added.

There are more and more facilities operating with this type of power supply.

"So, in the upcoming high season, such large and sought—after hotels as Nart 4* and Izumrud will switch to the All inclusive format," Alean said.

Also, according to the company's representatives, tours to Apsny 3* hotels (all inclusive), Wellness Park Hotel Gagra (all inclusive), Boxwood Grove (full board), Pine Grove (full board), Amza Park Hotel (full board), Joequara are in demand (full board), Kavkaz Park Hotel (full board).

But new hits are also expected. According to Evgenia Kizey, Manresa Resort Hotel has been operating in New Athos for only the second year, and there are already regular customers. Some tourists who vacationed there last summer are going again.

"The Chernomorets Hotel in Gudauta, famous since Soviet times, is opening after a complete renovation,— Intourist said. — First line, outdoor pool, equipped beach, comfortable rooms, green area and the very center of the resort."

The company added that in recent years, more and more new private comfortable hotels have appeared in Abkhazia, It may become difficult to get into top brand hotels closer to the season, and new hotels will be ready to welcome tourists.

How much do tours cost and how to pay on the spot

Despite the winter drop in demand, prices for holidays in Abkhazia did not decrease much, the increase, according to various estimates, ranged from 8-9% to 20% of the cost last year. Sergey Romashkin clarified that the average hotel stay will cost 3,900 rubles per person per day. Meals include breakfasts.

The following gradation was given to Alean: accommodation in a hotel with breakfast for seven nights in the second half of June for two will cost an average of 45 thousand rubles, full board — 60 thousand, all inclusive — 80 thousand rubles.

To save money, it was necessary to buy tours "yesterday". Evgenia Kizey said that in mid-February, some hotels started sending new discounted prices and they were valid until the beginning of March. According to experts, no more actions are expected. But, in any case, prices in Abkhazia are about 20% lower than in Sochi and even inferior to Anapa.

This week, the media started writing about problems with bank cards for Russian tourists in Abkhazia. According to experts, there are no special difficulties, but it is worth having the "plastic" of the Russian payment system.

"Mir cards are accepted in Abkhazia, but Visa and MasterCard do not work," explained Alean.

Non-cash payment is not available everywhere, but, as Intourist added, almost all Abkhazians have Russian bank cards. It is not problematic to pay for goods or services using an advanced phone number. And in large retail outlets, Mir payment system cards are accepted.