Tour Booking Hotspot: Anapa Stands Out as One of the Leading Destinations in Kuban for Tour Reservations
In the Krasnodar Territory, the tourism industry is facing challenges due to a significant decrease in bookings, potentially leading to job losses. This decline, however, has not diminished the strong demand for tourism in the popular Black Sea resort of Anapa.
Despite closed beaches in July 2025, Anapa remains an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers, with affordable accommodation prices making it a preferred choice over other Black Sea resorts. Kirill and Roman from Kirov, for instance, deliberately chose Anapa for its affordability.
The drop in bookings has led some accommodations to reduce their prices, with small guesthouses reporting very low occupancy rates and significant price reductions to attract guests. Hotels with amenities like pools manage to maintain relatively stable prices, while those without pools have had to reduce prices more drastically to fill rooms.
The tourism industry in Anapa is not solely relying on beach access. Local operators continue to offer services such as boat excursions with new programs, indicating ongoing tourism activities despite environmental challenges. Some visitors are not deterred by the reports of contaminated beaches, as they still find the water clear, the sand good, and housing cheap and comfortable.
Neighbouring Crimea, on the other hand, is experiencing a surge in bookings, with a 40% increase, as some tourists who planned to visit Anapa have switched to Crimean resorts, benefiting from lower prices, sandy beaches, and all-inclusive hotels. However, this has not fully reduced interest in Anapa, as some tourists still prefer it for affordability and other reasons.
In summary, Anapa's strong tourism demand in July 2025, despite closed beaches, is mainly due to its affordability and continued local tourism offerings, with accommodation prices generally lowered to reflect reduced demand and attract visitors.
The decrease in bookings may be attributed to the negative publicity generated by the official's remarks about "Ramen with a K" in Abkhazia. Anapa previously held 13% of all bookings, but this has dropped, potentially impacting the resort further. The decline in bookings has not been limited to Anapa, as it has also affected the Tuapse District and resorts on the Azov coast.
Sochi leads in bookings with 59%, followed by Gelendzhik with 19%. Anapa ranks third with 13% of bookings. Despite the challenges, the occupancy of large hotels in Anapa remains in the range of 50-60%. The decrease in bookings may have a significant impact on the overall revenue of the Ministry of Resorts and Tourism of the Krasnodar Territory.
The affordable lifestyle in Anapa, with its budget-friendly accommodations, continues to attract travelers despite closed beaches, making it a popular choice amidst other Black Sea resorts. General-news reports suggest that the drop in bookings might be linked to negative publicity, potentially affecting Anapa's tourism industry further.
