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Geopolitically Ukraine is positioned in Eastern Europe. This largest European country (Russia belongs to the Euro-Asian countries) borders on the east with Russia, on the west with Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, Belarus on the north and Moldova and Romania on the south.
The first consequences of the war in Ukraine on tourism and all other trips occurred on the first day of the war. Travel to and from Ukraine is not recommended, it is not possible, the whole country is a war zone. Already at the very beginning of the war, air traffic to and from Ukraine was disrupted and then completely suspended.
Air traffic blockade
After only a few days of the conflict, the sanctions of the western countries fell on the Russian economy and the blockade, the isolation of the Russian Federation in the trade, financial and traffic sense. To date, 36 countries have banned the overflight and landing of Russian aircraft, which covers the whole of Central and Western Europe, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand. As a countermeasure, Russia has imposed the same bans on airline flights from those parts of the world to Russia.
The whole of Ukraine and the border areas of neighboring countries have been declared a no-fly zone. As a result, air routes have been significantly changed, the time of some flights has been extended and Eastern Europe has been put under the threat of monitoring the development of the situation.
Ukraine and Russia out of tourist flows
It is obvious that in the short term, Ukraine and Russia will not function as a receptive but also as an emitting tourist market. As far as Russia is concerned, due to the traffic blockade, but also due to the imposed sanctions, the travel of its citizens to the countries of the European Union will not be possible during these measures.
Far Eastern markets
Travel from distant markets, especially from the Far East to Europe will also not recover at the expected pace. The interruption caused by Covid will continue in the post-Covid period due to the war in Ukraine, which is "read" as the war in Europe.
USA market
The situation on the USA market is somewhat more favorable. For now, the countries of the western Mediterranean have an advantage in planning travel, the recommendations are to make last-minute reservations for the rest of Europe.
The slowdown in early bookings is not just due to the war in Ukraine, travel advisers recommend waiting for the expected competition of airlines for each passenger at the time when travel starts in bulk and problems with refunds in case of cancellation "burned" those who had a habit of early booking.
Bypassing reservation platforms?
Another recommendation from American travel advisors is interesting. Some experienced advisors recommend bypassing accommodation reservation platforms and negotiating directly with hotel sales. This is justified by the great "hunger" for guests that prevailed as a result of the Covid crisis, so many hoteliers are willing to provide the guest with additional benefits when booking directly.
In Europe you travel by land
The European market is reacting differently, at least for now. It is obvious that self-destinations have an absolute advantage over air destinations. The ability to book accommodation without penalties, travel and return from travel at the best time, without fear of flight cancellation without hours of waiting at terminals, in Covid times has diverted a significant number of passengers to road routes.
Inflation, rising costs
The war in Ukraine brings an additional burden of rising living costs. Inflationary trends are under great pressure, energy and food prices are rising further. This is an unfavorable situation for tourism service providers as well as for tourists. Rates costs rise above rising income rates, war brings uncertainty. The time of comfortable consumption is slowly waning.
Author Nedo Pinezić, Nedopinezic.com
