MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. Losses of Russia’s tourism industry following the suspension of flights to popular Egyptian resorts are estimated at five billion rubles ($77.5 million) per month, commercial director of Tez Tour, one of Russia’s leading travel operators, said on Wednesday.
"As for losses in the tourism sector, I can assess them in five billion rubles ($77.5 million)," Alexander Burtin said, adding that some 50,000 tourists per week used to depart for Egypt with an average tour package cost of $350 per person.
On November 6, President Vladimir Putin ordered flights to Egypt suspended amid security concerns. This followed the October 31 Russian airliner crash on the Sinai Peninsula and the loss of all 224 passengers and crew.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the flight ban would remain in force until Egypt had taken measures to ensure travelers’ safety.
- Russian Association of Tour Operators refutes reports on ban of flights to other countries
- Kremlin chief of staff: No link between Russian operation in Syria and A321 crash in Egypt
- Possible suspension of flights from Russia to more countries outside agenda — lawmaker
- Manufacturer says Russia's crashed A321 plane had no technical faults
- Kremlin: Too many rumours, speculations in media over Russian plane crash in Egypt
- Russian tour operators already lost $10 million since Egypt flight suspension
- Audit of Egypt airport security may take at least 2 weeks — tourist association
- Passenger flights to Egypt from Russia suspended - Russian transport minister