comment: >
  
  Man, who wants to visit that shithole even when they aren’t in the middle of a war of aggression against another sovereign state?
context: I'm surprised 10% still went to Russia. >
  
  I think it likely that a vast majority of those 10% were during the almost two months of 2022 prior to the invasion. >
  
  Would this 10% primarily be tourists from "friendly to Russia" countries such as Eritrea, Iran, Venezuela, etc? >
  
  Couldn't tell ya.
  Plenty of people have been to Russia, and I'm sure many more would be willing to visit a country with a bad rep in the West, than a country maintaining an outright invasion. 
  I'd assume that, before the invasion, the proportion of Russia-"friendly" and Russia-"non-friendly" tourists would be the same as it has always been. After the invasion, I'd go out on a limb and guess that "friendlies" became a greater majority. >
  
  I don't know. Obviously it's anecdotal and I'm sure Russia is not all like that, but my only direct knowledge of tourism to Russia is that of my best friend's dad in the early 2000s.
  Basically he landed, got a taxi, and like 10 minutes later a guy at the traffic light with a gun mugged him and got all of his belongings, including his passport.
  Basically his holiday was: land - 10 minutes taxi ride - - gun to the head - 30 more minutes to the embassy to get help - fly back the next day.
  I might be wrong but that immediately put Russia at the bottom of my wish list. >
  
  Traveled through about a decade ago — got robbed on the street and by Russian officials at a small airport who meticulously went through our belongings, taking anything they deemed “culturally significant” and threatening us with arrest for having bought mittens from a Russian vendor at a Russian Christmas market. Constantly followed by “taxis” trying to get us into their unmarked vehicles.. y’know, to give us a super special Americans-only discount guided tour, not to traffic us or use us as collateral or anything. 
  I will not be returning. Can’t wait to visit a victorious Ukraine, though! >
  
  
  not to traffic us or use us as collateral or anything.
  
  Yes definitely not, if you genuinely believe that's what some random Russian pirate taxis wanted from you in ~2010 you need to see a shrink about your paranoia. TBH even the being robbed by Russian officials on the street part sounds like complete BS. >
  
  Ooh someone’s fussy >
  
  Wouldn't say I fit anything here, if you mean the first definition I'm not irrated, I'm just calling out complete BS when I see it. >
  
  Cool! >
  
  The reports that Wagner group is trying to coerce African exchange students into fighting for Putin in Ukraine. Russia's already demonstrated a willingness to incarcerate American citizens and use them as political pawns. You'd have to be an idiot to travel over there now, especially if you are citizen of the United States or any other NATO member country.
  The world is a big place with a ton of other countries to visit, full of governments and people that would welcome your money and treat you with at least some level of respect. Go where you will be treated best. >
  
  This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 59%. (I'm a bot)
  
  
  The number of foreigners visiting Russia as part of an organized tour plummeted by more than 90% during 2022 as the country's international isolation over its invasion of Ukraine kept most travelers away, the Kommersant business daily reported on Tuesday.
  Sergei Romashkin, the head of Russian tour operator Delfin, which estimated the 90% drop in organized tour arrivals, said that the industry is hampered by Russia's negative image, the ban on the use of Visa and Mastercard in the country, as well as Russia's own restrictive visa regime.
  Many tour operators have shifted from inbound tourism to organizing domestic tours in Moscow and St. Petersburg, according to Kommersant.
  
  
  Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Russia^#1 tour^#2 organized^#3 tourism^#4 industry^#5 >
  
  Lol domestic tours. I read fluent Russian and their memes about “internal tourism” are hilarious. Basically it’s orders of magnitude cheaper to fly to an Egyptian all-inclusive beach resort than to get trapped on some mildly radioactive tour bus limping its way through Russia’s “Golden Circle” of decrepit monasteries with zero amenities. >
  
  Tell me more about the Egyptian resorts. >
  
  Sharm el Sheikh. They also go to Turkish beaches often. They used to also go to Cancun + Punta Cana, but airspace restrictions quickly killed that. >
  
  What about their "Buy one week, get 12 years free" deal? >
  
  Guaranteed weight loss program >
  
  My wife and I had visited Vladivostok when we were in the Navy and were planning on going back when we revisited the West-Pac as civilians.  
  But I wouldn't go to Russian now if you paid me.  
  No interest in supporting them, and honestly had  pretty low interest in going back the more I read. >
  
  Why would one go to Vladivostok willingly? >
  
  What's wrong with it? >
  
  What a shock! >
  
  Said nobody, except maybe Putin >
  
  Why no come to great Russia? >
  
  Not sure. Something about the food >
  
  all those people failing from windows... strong winds not good for vacations >
  
  Yeah because they like to throw people in jail to use as a bargaining chip >
  
  All expenses paid foreign adventure vacations were up 1000% though. See exotic lands, get shot at by exciting NATO weapons! Free washing machines for those who survive*!  
  *please note, so far the survival rate is less than survivable. But they are. Ery good washing machines... >
  
  Slightly off topic, but I feel like the 1:3 ratio is not achievable by Russia, considering logistics and how complicated heliborne medevac gets when the airspace is contested. >
  
  The don't evacuate their wounded ones. >
  
  I know someone that has run tours there for the last decade and he had to close shop.
  He's surprised that his staff turned from very positive relationships into quite hostile ones. He is German and it was very much about his nationality. >
  
  I'm surprised organized tourism to Russia didn't drop higher than 90%, although I suspect a big chunk of the numbers were pre-invasion.
  Bottom line is, a country which is at war faces a lot of internal insecurity and issues. You wouldn't want to be trapped there if they decide to close borders, or if riots break out, or your country is placed on Putin's unfriend list. Nobody wants to be the next Griner. Heck, even something as simple as the inability to fill your prescription medicine might ruin your holiday. >
  
  It was travel as normal in January and until 23. February. That's the 10%. >
  
  Is it?   If I was visiting russia as a tourist that is NOT the 1.75 months that I would pick to do it. >
  
  Why tho? Who wouldn't want to visit despite the ~~almost certain~~ minor risk of being imprisoned/conscripted/thrown out a window/stabbed by insane vatniks? 
  Those are minor quibbles compared to the experience of vising ~~decaying Soviet era apartment blocks~~ beautiful historical sites and shopping in ~~backstreet krokodil dens~~ ultra high-end shopping malls selling ~~the shit AliExpress merchants needed to get rid of~~ all the luxuries of the world. >
  
  Real talk, Russia has massive tourism potential, but Russian leadership is hostile to its development (even before the war/Crimea) . >
  
  Russia just has potential in general, they just keep having absolute lunatics in charge. >
  
  It's really such a tragic country. So much squandered potential. >
  
  I've said it here multiple times, Russian history is basically a long series of: "Here are tons of okay to great options and one really shitty one." 
  And even when basically everyone is giving them the cheat codes and walkthrough and the full consequences of that shitty option, they always seem to pick it. >
  
  I don’t think it’s ever been that simple for Russia or any country with corrupt leadership. >
  
  It isn't, but even corrupt leadership often recognizes when they need to grant a little give. 
  Russia doesn't seem to get that ever. They go from one series of corrupt, awful, evil pricks to another. >
  
  I wanted to visit one day. Might never happen now >
  
  I too want to try Trans Siberian Railway. But nope... Not gonna happened. >
  
  My grandfather was sent to help protect the Trans-Siberian railway by president Wilson, and so I had even more reason to ride the Trans-Siberian Railway. I guess I'll have to wait for Putin die first though... >
  
  What is "unorganized tourism"? >
  
  People traveling by themselves, and not part of something like a tourgroup >
  
  I didn’t know people did that. Wouldn’t you get lost >
  
  I thought that’s how most people did it. I’m sure you could get lost, but with a phone in the modern day, it’s hard to get in real trouble (unless you visit a warmongering nation). I think it’s more fun planning and exploring for yourself >
  
  they put britney griner in prison over stupid shit when the war broke out, how would it be different for us >
  
  Who wants to go to a country with a fake, BS legal system. >
  
  Disorganized tourism on the other hand has skyrocketed… >
  
  Only a very stupid person would choose to go , perhaps the ten percent were mainly were people visiting family. >
  
  More like they went before or right as the invasion kicked off mostly, then a few percent from those countries that still go and where people have money to go. >
  
  I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those 10% ended up mobilized. >
  
  I would imagine there are some great deals to visit Universal Studios Yekaterinburg. >
  
  What rational person would support Russia with tourism while its a murderous terrorist country. No thanks. >
  
  Tucker Carlson will be on the next flight to Moscow, I’m sure. >
  
  You never know if you might end up charged with some BS crime and then become a political pawn so that some real terrorist can be repatriated to Russia. So yeah, fuck that place! >
  
  so scary if you go there as tourist...you might disappear, or thrown elsewhere and absolutely nobody in the world can do anything about it. No thanks! >
  
  The Trans Siberian Railway trip that I dreamt, just poofed right away.
  Damn. >
  
  They're north Korea now.  Didn't take long. >
  
  Wikipedia still shows an "expected" $2T GDP for 2022. Putin's stupid,  I'll advised war of conquest ruined the country for the  current and dozens of coming years. With the extra bonus of potentially getting booted out of the UNSC. 
  Well done, genius >
  
  I assume the bulk of the remaining 10% are from Belarus or something. >
  
  Bald and bankrupt alone made up the other 10 percent >
  
  Who would want to visit a terrorist state? >
  
  r/noshitsherlock >
  
  Between Griner and the war, you would think all ~~would-be hostages~~ tourists would be avoiding Russia. >
  
  Only 90%? >
  
  I very much do not want to end up in a Gulag and traded in a prisoner exchange for the Lord of War during my vacation >
  
  I’m not that surprised.  I’ve BEEN to Russia. As a tourist.  Had a great time.  Loved it.  But even before this, Putin’s anti LGBTIA+ thing made me less likely to want to go back.  At the moment I want to go back MUCH less.  It’s a gorgeous place IMO in terms of some of the architecture and culture which is why I went and I’m glad I did! But I wouldn’t go NEAR the place under current circumstances and I’d be afraid for my life to go!! >
  
  Where are the remaining 10% coming from?  Must be terrible in their home country. >
  
  I wonder what's caused that...? >
  
  I always wanted to go to Russia, never been there, have some Russian blood (1/16), lots of interesting places to see and do (Kamchatka and Baikal are two of the most fascinating places on earth for me). 
  But after this year I've pretty much given up on the idea that I'll ever be able to go there, I only go to normal countries and Russia getting there may need at least a generation it seems. >
  
  That’s funny, that’s exactly how i felt in the early eighties;  living in west germany….but no one dared claim blood, back then anymore…or generations >
  
  In related news, special military tourism to Ukraine is up. >
  
  As a guy who invited people to live for free during WC2018 in Saint Petersburg this is just sad. It was such a joy to welcome people from all over the globe. Not going to happen again soon, I suppose. >
  
  Who the fuck vacations in Russia to begin with?
  “Hi I’m looking for a country filled with violent alcoholics, shitty food, depressing weather, and a high probability of being robbed at gunpoint literally by the police.” >
  
  Growing up int he 90s i would like to visit and see a few well known sites. I also know some people there i would like to visit. But i keep waiting for the country to improve just a little. And it keeps getting worse. >
  
  Yeah, I too would like to go one day.  St. Petersburg, Moscow, Transsiberian with various stops take the side route to Beijing, go to Shanghai, down to Hong Kong, then back home, but man both Russia and China just keeps getting worse :( >
  
  How much free time do you have to have to do it lol >
  
  The plan was to do it in 2 months. >
  
  90% so far, wait until they add the xmas holidays! >
  
  “Only 90%?!” Was my first thought. 
  Wonder how Iran’s tourism market is going. >
  
  Only 90? >
  
  A last tour before russia break apart into even smaller bits, soviet collapse but smaller and dumber. >
  
  So where’s the GOP spending the 4th in 2023? >
  
  Why would I pay for bullets that'll kill civilians? >
  
  However, these figures don’t include Gaetz’s child sex ring operations which are still in full swing. >
  
  Only 90%? Who is still going? >
  
  Any American who goes to Russia right now is just plain stupid. They could easily be arrested on trumped-up charges and held for months in a Russian prison. >
  
  It's almost like, 10% of the way through the year, they took some sort of horrendously monstrous and unpopular actions. >
  
  LOL, I’m a transgender Marine veteran working for a global tech company. I’m pretty sure Russia would find (create) a reason to lock me up. >
  
  Who would want to go to that dump >
  
  The fishing and hunting is good on Russia, that's about it. >
  
  The fact we needed an article to tell us this is a reminder of how poor thinkers most of the world is. Shocking. >
  
  Oh no!... Anyway. >
  
  in other words, chaotic tourism to Russia is up 120% >
  
  Who is the other 10% just those smuggling cash and back door weapons deals? >
  
  Who the heck wants to go to Russia >
  
  Did they had any to begin with? >
  
  Ironically, before the war, a lot of Ukrainians traveled there. >
  
  Just 90%? >
  
  Shocking. 
  Apparently Russia wasn't the best tourist place before either. >
  
  That's all? >
  
  Are the remaining 10% the people kidnapped from Ukraine? >
  
  “1 in 5 lucky tourists will be selected to become a political prisoner!” >
  
  Who would want to visit Russia at this point? >
  
  Exactly what I was thinking. With random explosions and all the rest of it. Besides the appearance of supporting them. >
  
  They only have one tour open. A tour to the front. Special price because no return trip needed. >
  
  Can someone get the old fuckin boomer out of office already?  
  Fuckin goof attacks his neighbor country. >
  
  
  The number of foreigners visiting Russia as part of an organized tour plummeted by more than 90% during 2022
  Official figures place the year-on-year drop in Russia's inbound tourist numbers as a whole at just 40%, from almost 290,000 last year to 190,000 in 2022, Kommersant said. >
  
  Why risk imprisonment and being put on a US watch list? >
  
  I want someone to interview a family that decided to vacation in Russia after they invaded Ukraine. >
  
  I hate that I have to write this (because the Russian government is evil), but isn't this headline needlessly sensational? 
  According to the 2019 figures, only 8% of tourism was organized tourism. So a 90% drop in organized tourism results in overall tourism falling to around 93% of the 2019 figure (assuming individual tourism is unaffected, since the article doesn't address it). 
  I would like to see more actual insight into tourist numbers and not figures which are carefully chosen to be big.
  Edit: typos >
  
  Thanks, Capt. Hindsight. >
  
  Russia will falsely accuse and arrest anyone they could use as a geopolitical pawn. It’s probably worse than going to North Korea since Russia is actively at war, in their minds, with the West. And honestly we kind of are, but they invaded Ukraine so here we are. >
  
  WHO the fuck are the 10% absolute nutters?  Mental patients?  People who lost bets?  Oh, I know, prisoner swaps.  That makes sense. >
  
  Y'know the majority of my being has no problem cutting bully/awful countries out of the circle, but dang if some of these countries don't have so much to see. I mean Iran, Russia and China alone hold tons of important world history and sites/artifacts of incredible beauty. Now we've got it to where some places folks don't feel safe celebrating that history with the locals. Like you wanna really stop Russo-phobia? Make your country a SAFE place to visit without getting a Grinner pulled on you. Let us see and share what makes your country and history vital to the tales of our shared past. I mean we can grow past our mistakes and highlight the good, but we're just breeding real russo-phobia at this rate. >
  
  OTOH, disorganized "tourism" from Russia is doing great thanks to military conscription. >
  
  So ... Russia is loosing currency from Tourism, they lost many foreign companies that left the country and so they also lost all those sales taxes that came with those companies. They lost 100.000 young men (and their gender ratio was 86:100 to begin with) and also have a shortage of medicine and drugs. They soon will not be able to use their phones anymore when updates are required and not available in Russia and their money is losing in value, so soon they can't get anything from outside Russia anymore.
  I am not saying I feel sorry for them. 
  Only for their kids and the future they are getting robbed from. >
  
  Crazy that anyone went to Russia after 2014 honestly. >
  
  That last 10% got a pair >
  
  War is hell for tourism... >
  
  Organized Putism  in Russia is likely to follow. >
  
  Well if you can't come back that's kind of a problem >
  
  Hey Putin, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
  Everyone hates Putin.
  No matter who wins or loses, Russia has lost all credibility with the rest of the world. 
  The only way to fix this would be for the Russians to get rid of Putin. 
  And they're not gonna do it until things get really uncomfortable for Russians.
  Anything that will make Russians more uncomfortable is good. >
  
  Visit Russia and watch us murder our neighbors, relatives and friends in Ukraine. We may also kidnap you and hold you hostage for years for a future prisoner swap. No thanks. >
  
  What a shock >
  
  Cemeteries are growing nicely tough. >
  
  That last 10% is probably MAGA cult members visiting their dream country. >
  
  Who in the WORLD is visiting Russia in 2022? Are there people who actually believe that Fox news Russian propaganda nonsense? >
  
  Yes. Send the Chinese tourists to Russia!! They'll love it. Send them all. Shit, go "full China" and make it mandatory. >
  
  What commercial airline would fly in there given Russia literally stole their leased planes and for the planes locked inside Russia they can’t get parts so who would risk all that to visit any time soon >
  
  Gworsh...I wonder why THAT could be...!!!😲 >
  
  'Come see all of our hopes and dreams die as we rush headlong into a failed state fiasco at the behest of our criminal regime and get a free rock!' >
  
  Now I want to know what unorganized tourism is >
  
  Say what you want about the Kamchatka Brown Bears, but at least they'll allow you to criticize the war in Ukraine! >
  
  Only 90% >
  
  Damn. That's gotta hurt. >
  
  While unorganized tourism grows strongly around the kherson region. >
  
  I’ll take Headlines Nobody’s Surprised By for 400 >
  
  Who the hell would want to visit Russia ? >
  
  I went last month. It’s lovely in the winter >
  
  Nobody wants to go there and get Brittney Griner'd... They've all been shown they're willing to use tourists and expats as political pawns. Why would anyone be dumb enough to go there now >
  
  Organized Terrorism in Russia expands by 100% in 2022 >
  
  As much as I'd like to see Mother Russia, going while it's essentially a war zone would be stupid. Politics aside: I'd very much like to see peace break out for my Slav cousins. >
  
  China - surplus of men
  Russia - soon to have surplus of women >
  
  Very sad to see this. So much to see. Hopefully we still have wonderful people such as Brittany Griner who's brave enough to visit this beautiful country. >
  
  Who wasted their time putting this article together? 
  At some point, someone put this all together and then someone else looked it over and said "Yes, the people deserve to hear the truth! RUN IT!".  At no point did someone stand up and say "Why do you feel the need to print out obviousness" Fire is hot. Water is damp. Tourism is significantly down in nations involved in war. >
  
  I cant believe. Why is that, such a wonderful country?! >
  
  You could say it was.....dropped out a window.
  YeAeahHhHh!!! >
  
  Duh. >
  
  From 10 people to 1 wow >
  
  Anyone who wants to take a holiday to Ruzzia is crazy.
  Odds on if you’re European or American you’ll end up in jail on some trumped up charges having to buy your freedom.
  Or worse, taken as a political pawn and used as leverage towards your government and slung in the gulag until a swap can be agreed.
  Screw them, just boycott the bastards and don’t give them a cent. >
  
  Whothefuck wants to go there under normal circumstances ,anyway? Republicans seeking funding/ higher office ????