Tourist visits to the Azov coast experienced a significant surge, boosting numbers by 23%
The Russian Black Sea coast is witnessing a diverse tourism landscape this summer, with key resorts such as Anapa, Gelendzhik, and Sochi experiencing varying levels of success.
Anapa Struggles Amidst Environmental Disaster
Anapa is facing a severe tourism decline due to a large oil spill near the Kerch Strait in December 2024. The incident has led to a swimming ban and environmental contamination, causing a steep drop in tourist numbers. In July 2025, only about 24,000 tourists visited Anapa, a drastic decrease from the 100,000 who visited during the same month in 2024. Hotel occupancy has fallen to about 30%, and only 950 out of 1,600 registered accommodations remain open.
Gelendzhik Sees Growth with Improved Accessibility
In contrast, Gelendzhik is witnessing a growth in tourist flow, thanks to improved accessibility. The newly opened and expanded airport is expected to handle over 150,000 passengers by the end of the summer season 2025. This increase in connectivity has boosted bookings in Gelendzhik and nearby villages by roughly 15-30%, helping reduce road congestion and relieve pressure on neighboring resort hubs like Sochi.
Sochi Maintains Popularity but Experiences Reduced Pressure
Sochi remains a major and popular resort with continued tourist arrival, although Gelendzhik’s new airport is partially easing transport loads on Sochi’s infrastructure, likely maintaining steady visitor numbers.
Shifting Tourist Flow and Regional Impact
The oil spill’s impact on Anapa has likely shifted some tourist flow toward other parts of the Krasnodar region's coast such as Gelendzhik, Novorossiysk, and Sochi, aided by better air links and rail connections from Gelendzhik. However, the environmental damage and ongoing emergency cleanup remain a major concern and a limitation for recovery along the southern Krasnodar region's coastline, including annexed Crimea and Sevastopol areas.
Tourism Woes in Romania's Black Sea Resorts
Meanwhile, Romania’s Black Sea resorts like Mamaia are experiencing a notable decline in tourism due to government policy changes affecting holiday vouchers. Despite claims of full weekend occupancy in July 2025 at some Romanian resorts, the overall trend shows a drop in tourist numbers and tourism tax revenue.
Looking Ahead to Winter
There are no preliminary estimates for the number of tourists that will visit Sochi and Gelendzhik in winter. However, it is expected that tourists will return to these resorts, with hotel prices starting from 7,000 rubles per night in August and 7,000 RUB per day in September in Sochi, and 6,000 rubles per night in August and 5,000 rubles per night in September in Gelendzhik.
Impact on Surrounding Areas
Small hotels in Yeisk, Golubitskaya, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk are fully booked this year due to an influx of tourists from Anapa. The cost of accommodation in Sukhumi, Abkhazia, is 30-40% lower than in Sochi, making it an attractive destination for tourists.
Despite the current challenges, the Black Sea coast continues to attract tourists, with some areas benefiting from improved infrastructure and connectivity, while others grapple with environmental disasters and government policy changes.
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Here are the two sentences containing the given words:
- This summer, with the diverse tourism landscape in the Russian Black Sea coast, a growing number of tourists might be drawn to explore its lifestyle offerings, including fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden stores, due to the increased tourism flow in resorts like Gelendzhik.
- As travelers return to Sochi and Gelendzhik during the winter season, they may find themselves indulging in retail therapy in various fashion-and-beauty and lifestyle shops found in these popular resorts, or even deciding to visit nearby home-and-garden stores in areas like Sukhumi, Abkhazia.
