Tour operator: Belarusians scared to travel for holidays via Kiev

Armed men in Crimea have scared Belarusian tourists aways. Out of 100 clients that booked their holiday packages in January, one third has already taken their money back, Euroradio is told by Alyye Parus travel firm in Minsk:

"Those with children or 30% of those who booked back in January have now refused. The rest are wating out. However, people continue to travel to western Ukraine. When it comes to Crimea, they ask to change their package for Russia's Krasnodar province. They also book holidays in Ukraine's Odessa province."

Many are ready to pay more and spend their holidays in Bulgaria than in Crimea, the travel agent says.

Magelan travel company complains that people even fear going to Kiev, a cheaper hub for onward travel to Bulgaria and Turkey.

“Tickets from Kiev remain on agenda for Belarusians. It is cheaper to fly to Turkey, Egypt and Emirates from Kiev. But people get scared. Half of client has already refused from booked trips, says the firm.

“40% of those who used to come were Belarusians. Now they write e-mails and call trying to figure out the situation and mood here. They are saying they will travel via Russia, because they fear being robbed on the road,"  Euroradio is told by Sergei, proprioter of a mini-hotel in Crimea's resort town of Koktebel.

He charges $6 per night for one bed during the season. He promises there are no "green creatures" (Russian troops) in Koktebel and that everything is quiet. Sergei does not forecast plummeting prices but admits: "The majority of tourists used to come from Ukraine."

In Privetnoye, not far from Sudak, proprioters keep the prices at the previous level as they are waiting for the introduction of the Russian currency.

“They promised to introduce the Russian rouble… In June, the house rental will cost $50 per day. Belarusians call and ask around but are still waiting out," Svetlana who owns a house in Privetnoye told Euroradio. She also promises peace and quite and no "green creatures."

She accuses media of spreading phobias.

АBulgaria and Romania can become an alternative to Crimea, says editor-in-chief of Tourism and Lesiure newspaper Lilia Kobzik:

“Tour operators are ready to work with Crimea, both Russian and Ukrainian. But the road looks dangerous. Bulgaria and Romania are becoming a replacement in this situation."

Kobzik does not forecast higher prices for the resorts that become alterbatives to Crimea, because part of holiday packages were booked early. She says: "Last year between 300 and 400 thousand Belarusians spent their vacations in Crimea."

Photo: eastbooking.ua