The tourist season has been ruined from the very beginning.
In the Crimea annexed by Russia in 2014, children's vacations were urgently suspended — a new decree from the head of the republic caught both students and parents by surprise. The situation is escalating for ordinary tourists as well: trips to the sea are complicated by mass drone attacks and serious fuel shortages at gas stations.
Summer Under Ban
The head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, signed a decree that effectively puts an end to organized trips for schoolchildren. The document took effect immediately and will remain in force until the end of summer.
The authorities of Crimea have taken radical security measures that have disrupted the plans of thousands of families. People report that schoolchildren are being taken out of camps, and buses with children heading to 'Artek' are being turned around right on the road to the peninsula.
"Our son received a free voucher for his diplomas. His suitcase is packed, treats have been bought, he was supposed to get on the bus tomorrow at 08:30 and go," said the mother of one of the schoolchildren. "And then at 8 PM, we get a call from the Ministry of Education of Crimea saying that there was an emergency meeting and they decided to cancel all shifts. We are, of course, in shock."
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"I Was Waiting for Summer Just for This": What Is Happening with the Tourist Season in Crimea, Where Children's Camps Are Massively Canceling Arrivals The Peninsula Is Left Almost Without Guests June 23, 2026, 08:30 11,415 11 comments
This Summer, Crimea Is Not Crowded | Source: Bulat Salikhov / UFA1.RU This Summer, Crimea Is Not Crowded
Source: Bulat Salikhov / UFA1.RU Children's vacations have been urgently suspended in Crimea — the new decree from the head of the republic caught both students and parents by surprise. The situation is escalating for ordinary tourists as well: trips to the sea are complicated by mass drone attacks and serious fuel shortages at gas stations. What is currently happening with vacations on the peninsula and what tourists should prepare for — MSK1.RU found out.
Summer Under Ban
The head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, signed a decree that effectively puts an end to organized trips for schoolchildren. The document takes effect immediately and will remain in force until the end of summer.
"Suspend from 11:00 AM on June 22, 2026, until 00:00 AM on September 1, 2026, the booking of places, acceptance, and accommodation of children (groups of children) in children's recreation and health organizations located in the territory of the Republic of Crimea, as well as the booking of places, acceptance, and accommodation of children (groups of children) in other accommodation facilities for participation in various tourist-oriented events (camps, festivals, sports training camps, excursions, etc.), located in the territory of the Republic of Crimea," the document states.
The Head of the Republic of Crimea Signed a Decree on the Suspension of Children's Recreation
"Parents Will Just Go Crazy"
The authorities of Crimea have taken radical security measures that have disrupted the plans of thousands of families. People report that schoolchildren are being taken out of camps, and buses with children heading to 'Artek' are being turned around right on the road to the peninsula.
"Our son received a free voucher for his diplomas. His suitcase is packed, treats have been bought, he was supposed to get on the bus tomorrow at 08:30 and go," said the mother of one of the schoolchildren. "And then at 8 PM, we get a call from the Ministry of Education of Crimea saying that there was an emergency meeting and they decided to cancel all shifts. We are, of course, in shock."
And there are already hundreds of such messages on social media. Schoolchildren are even writing to the head of the Safe Internet League, Ekaterina Mizulina, asking for help.
"What is happening now with the kids going to 'Artek'? There is information that children who arrived in Simferopol from Adygea, Moscow Region, Karachay-Cherkessia, Luhansk, and possibly other regions are being sent back home. Today is only the first day of arrivals, and only part of them has checked in. What should the kids do?"
"I know that you are not responsible for this and cannot do anything, but you cannot imagine how much I wanted to go to the camp. I was waiting for summer just for this, studied hard to get a voucher. My friend also received a voucher to 'Artek,' which he has been working towards for 4 years. Imagine what a trauma this is."
"I have acquaintances in 'Artek.' Many were turned back on the way. Many are upset. I understand that this is for safety, but it is a very strange situation. I would like to hear your opinion on this matter."
Ekaterina Mizulina responded to the avalanche of messages from frightened schoolchildren and tried to calm them down.
"Guys, I understand your feelings. Many dreamed of going to 'Artek' and waited for this all year. They tried hard, studied, participated in competitions," Mizulina stated. "But the authorities' decision can be understood. The situation in Crimea and Sevastopol is dire — constant shelling, strikes, serious problems with water, electricity, and gasoline. Your parents will just go crazy and be on edge if you go."
"Arrival at 'Scarlet Sails' Canceled"
Currently, places in children's camps are not being booked in Crimea, and schoolchildren are being taken back to the mainland via the Crimean Bridge. Traffic has already been restored there, and roads through the new regions are open.
"Throughout the entire route, accompanying persons are coordinated by representatives of special services. All necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and comfort of children during their return. The arrival at the VDC 'Scarlet Sails' has been canceled," the Ministry of Education reported.
Parents are now being offered to send their children to rest in other regions.
"We are considering the possibility of arrivals in children's camps in Anapa and other regions without losing already purchased train tickets," said Tatiana Ivanova, head of the RST committee for children's recreation. "Each case is being handled individually, taking into account the parents' wishes and the available accommodation options. It is currently difficult to assess the exact number of children affected by the introduced restrictions."
However, Crimea is open for independent family travel — the restrictions only affected organized recreation.
"The Tourist Season Is Already Ruined"
Queues at gas stations, gasoline shortages, and alarming news have led to a sharp decline in demand for summer vacations in Crimea. Over the past two weeks, the volume of bookings has decreased by 58% compared to last year.
"This is especially noticeable in bookings for the nearest dates; cancellations also affect July, August, and even the fall months," said Elena Shtringel, director of the 'TourEthno' company and expert of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry, to MSK1.RU. "Tourists cite safety concerns, cancellation of transport links, and logistical difficulties, including trips with transfers, as the main reasons. The number of new bookings remains significantly below the usual level.
For the peninsula, tourism is the main source of income. Hotels, sanatoriums, guest houses, and children's camps rely on what they can earn during the summer season.
"Given the current situation, the likelihood of a quick recovery in demand remains minimal. Therefore, there are grounds to say that the tourist season of 2026 in Crimea is essentially already ruined," stated Ilya Umansky, president of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry and general director of the national tour operator 'Alean.'
"The Situation Is Being Escalated"
At the same time, those who have already arrived on the peninsula do not intend to leave. Mostly, these are independent tourists.
"We do not observe a mass exodus. Guests who have already arrived for vacation continue their trips, use all services, and in general remain satisfied with the quality of service," emphasizes Elena Shtringel. "Accommodation facilities are operating as usual, infrastructure is functioning, and all declared services are being provided in full."
Travel agents still advise tourists in Crimea to understand the restrictions and follow official sources of information.
"Discussing the situation with colleagues in specialized chats regarding gasoline in the regions along the route for independent travelers, we also conclude that the situation is being escalated by panic moods," says Oksana Veligodskaya, head of the travel agency 'Ninth Planet,' to MSK1.RU.
At the same time, there has been no redistribution of Russians from Crimea to the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory and Abkhazia. There has not yet been a noticeable influx of Crimean 'refusals' to the coast in Sochi.
"No, there hasn't been an increase," complains travel agent Svetlana Shumova in a conversation with MSK1.RU. "Since I live in Sochi, I can say that the season has started very weakly, there are few tourists."
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