Sanctions imposed against Russia eventually resulted in Turkey’s tourism industry struggling to survive en masse. In particular, this applies to problems with “Mir” cards and other difficulties. This was announced by the Turkish newspaper “Turkieturizm”.
“Turkey’s economy is very dependent on foreign guests. It is especially important that in the first seven months of 2022, 2.2 million Russian tourists entered the country,” the publication states. However, anti-Russian sanctions prevent tourists from investing in the Turkish economy, and local entrepreneurs from making money. After all, many of them are keeping afloat with their last strength.
The problem concerns even the most common tourist expenses. As Nico Valdez, the owner of a fish restaurant in the Bosphorus Strait complained to the publication, his business has become one of the places that have faced problems this year. “We have big problems with credit cards. The Russians who come to the restaurant have credit cards… but they don’t work. I am in a panic, and my guests are extremely unhappy. Such a measure harms not only Russian tourists,” the expert said.
At the same time, the publication separately draws attention to the fact that those against whom sanctions were introduced, that is, Russian oligarchs, are much more protected than the average tourist. So many yachts belonging to Russian oligarchs went to Turkey after Western sanctions against Moscow back in February. At the same time, they are openly trying to push Turkey into extremely unfavorable sanctions – the publication reminds, for example, that in August the US warned that Turkish companies risk being punished if they work with Russians who are under sanctions.
Ankara has officially stated that it has no intention of disrupting trade with its neighbors. The official rate of inflation in Turkey has risen above 80% – as a result, income from tourism is especially important this season. “Considering the macroeconomic situation in Turkey at the moment and the serious need for all types of foreign currency in Turkey, I can say that Russian tourists are very important,” said economist Can Selchuk.
