Government appeal to be drafted as per instructions from Veniamin Kondratyev
In the wake of an oil spill incident near Anapa, Russia, in December 2024, the local tourism and hospitality sector has been hit hard. The disaster, caused by the wreck of two tankers that released over 4,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil (mazut), has resulted in a significant drop in visitor numbers and hotel occupancy rates.
The coastal swimming ban, enforced due to ongoing contamination, has further depressed tourism and associated businesses. According to recent reports, hotel occupancy plummeted to about 30%, and visitor numbers dropped by over 75% compared to the previous year, with only around 24,000 tourists visiting in July 2025 versus 100,000 the year before [3].
Emergency cleanup efforts have been ongoing since the spill, but environmental contamination persists, delaying recovery and deterring tourists. Despite volunteer cleanup efforts and some emergency containment measures like floating booms and sealing damaged tank sections, oil continues to seep, prolonging the environmental and economic impact [1][3].
In response to the difficult time faced by the resort industry in Anapa, Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratiev has taken action. He has ordered the preparation of a request to the government and the Ministry of Economic Development for federal benefits for businesses in Anapa. The decision to support local entrepreneurs with funds was made to help the resort industry recover. Authorities have decided to allocate approximately 140 million rubles to support local businesses in Anapa [2].
The funds will be used specifically for the recovery of the resort industry. They will be used to compensate for canceled bookings, cover repair costs, and equip hotels and resorts. However, no information is available yet on whether assistance for health resorts in paying salaries to employees is being considered.
The governor's concern is for the people behind each organization in Anapa. He is particularly worried about the potential loss of hotels, guesthouses, sanatoriums, and health resorts, as well as catering establishments in Anapa. The governor's request does not specify the use of the funds, but it is likely intended to support the recovery of the resort industry in Anapa.
The complete removal of sunken tankers is planned for 2026, so environmental and business recovery is likely to be prolonged. This situation remains fluid with ongoing environmental and economic repercussions; thus, detailed government support developments may emerge later but are not evident in current sources.
Sources:
- BBC News
- TASS
- The Moscow Times
- RIA Novosti
- The governor's request for federal benefits for businesses in Anapa, particularly those in the resort industry, suggests a need for financial support to help recover from the tourism decline due to the oil spill incident.
- The allocation of approximately 140 million rubles to support local businesses in Anapa is an effort to not only repair damaged hotels and resorts but also compensate for canceled bookings, illustrating a combined focus on both the retail and finance sectors.
