Russian citizens are banned from vacationing in Abkhazia because of its policies
Russia has decided to conduct "educational work" with Abkhazia, depriving the republic of the tourist flow from the Russian Federation, which was its main source of income. This was stated by the vice-president of the Association of Tour Operators of the Russian Federation, Artur Muradyan.
 
"Russian operators are currently banned from selling tours to Abkhazia. This will be the case as long as local businesses continue to protest against the ratification of the investment agreement with Russia," Muradyan said.
 
According to him, after the start of protests in the unrecognized republic and the resignation of its president, Aslan Bzhania, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development issued a ban on Russian tour operators selling tours to Abkhazia.
 
Recently, Abkhazia's Prime Minister Valery Bganba asked the Russian government to resume co-financing of public sector salaries. The authorities of the unrecognized republic have stopped paying salaries to public sector employees, new power outage schedules have been introduced since December 9, and schools and kindergartens will be closed since December 10. There is also a shortage of funds to pay salaries to security forces.
 
Before this, Abkhazia refused to conclude an economic agreement with Russia. The parliament of the self-proclaimed republic voted against ratifying the agreement with the Russian Federation on investments. Earlier, its possible adoption caused mass protests. This agreement was the subject of harsh criticism from the opposition. Many residents feared that the arrival of Russian business in the unrecognized republic would leave them without work.
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