The Russian tourists who temporarily filled the accommodation shops of South Karelia have disappeared, and the hotels are again mainly dependent on domestic tourists.
Russian tourists have disappeared from South Karelia’s accommodation establishments.
After a momentary rush, the number of Russian tourists collapsed when the eastern border was closed a week ago.
On the other hand, accommodation establishments in South Karelia have not counted on Russian tourists this year, as the border was closed until the summer due to corona restrictions.
Accommodation establishments are again mainly dependent on domestic tourists.
– A few reservations had been made, but these customers were no longer able to come to Finland, Kallio says.
Domestic demand during the autumn holidays
– During the autumn holidays, demand develops mainly due to domestic passengers, Mäkinen adds.
– There are some reservations, but their number decreased last week and over the weekend, Hirvelä says.
He says that as far as the Russians are concerned, the situation is expectedly quiet, as it has been since 2020.
– We haven’t expected much reservations from the Russians this year. The recent rush was unexpected, Hirvelä adds.
In the Imatra spa, for example, October has been almost completely sold out, so there wouldn’t even have been room for Russians.
– Now let’s go according to the annual plan again. In that case, the estimated number of Russians for the rest of the year was non-existent anyway, Hirvelä adds.
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