Terrorist acts have not driven away tourists heading for Russia

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The poor security conditions in Russia have not yet resulted in a noticeable fall in the reservations of tourist or business trips to Russia.
      The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland is advising travellers to Moscow to be cautious, while there is no cause for panic. However, there is currently every reason to consider carefully before booking a trip to the North Caucasus.
      ”The situation is being followed”, says Head of the Unit for Russia Olli Perheentupa of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
      However, travel agencies have received some calls about safety. ”Surprisingly few inquiries have been made. Apparently, clients think that the siege situation did not concern them personally”, commented Minna Väistö of Oy Russian Tours Ltd.
      The number of business trips has not dropped significantly as a result of terrorist actions, either. ”There have been discussions about the situation, and some companies have cancelled their trips. However, there will hardly be any marked drop in the number of business trips to Russia”, said Marjut Masala of Finland Travel Bureau.
      Among the Finnish companies that have Russian operations, at least Fortum, TeliaSonera Finland, and Metso Paper have not placed any restrictions on trips to Russia.
      ”However, if somebody is afraid to travel to Russia, we are not going to compel him or her”, admitted Juha Pentti of TeliaSonera Finland.


Links:
  Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
  Oy Russian Tours Ltd (Lähimatkat)
  Finland Travel Bureau

Helsingin Sanomat