site.btaRussia Recommends to Its Travel Agencies to Replace Bulgaria with Other Destinations, after Bulgaria Closes Airspace to All Russian Flights

The Russian Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism) recommended that travel agencies consider replacing Bulgaria with other destinations, according to a statement from the ministry, quoted by TASS.

The recommendation to replace Bulgaria with alternative destinations or change the travel schedule is related to the closure of Bulgarian airspace for Russian airlines and the reciprocal closure of Russian airspace for Bulgarian airlines. In the current situation, Russian tourists can hardly visit Bulgaria by direct flights, Rostourism notes.

Tourists who have booked a holiday in Bulgaria can contact the agency for a replacement or a change in the travel schedule. Those already in Bulgaria should turn to this country to settle the issues related to their return.

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After Bulgaria introduced a ban on the take-off / landing and entry of Russian aircraft into the country's airspace at midnight on Febryary 26,  because of the escalation of the military conflict in Ukraine, Russia also banned airlines from Bulgaria in response. 

"In connection with the closure of Bulgaria's airspace for Russian airlines, we recall the recent talks with Bulgarian partners who complained about the reduction in the number of Russian tourists at local resorts," the Russian embassy in Sofia said in a Facebook post. "Such political maneuvers are unlikely to strengthen the image of our compatriots about the hospitality of Bulgarians. An old saying comes to mind: "to infuriate my mother-in-law I will freeze my ears off, " read the post of the Russian embassy on social media.