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A BANKO correspondent found out that the G-8 Summit might affect not only tour operating companies that specialize in outbound tourism. Travel market players, given the experience of 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg, do not exclude the possibility that the seaport will be closed for several days. Moreover, they forecast setting a ceiling for navigation on the Neva River and Gulf of Finland.
As a consequence, travel companies that handle cruise liners in the Port of St. Petersburg might have considerable losses. Olga Kliminik, Director of Cruise Company Metropolis-Tour, explained: ‘Cruises are an elite type of tourism. Therefore, our client sometimes book tours even a year in advance. They will be more than disappointed if the cruise is cancelled’. She added that Russian tourists who departure from St. Petersburg might also face problems. They leave for Europe with visas valid for a certain period of time – changes within programs are unfavourable for them.
Meanwhile President of the Association of the Passenger Liners Owners, Evgenyi Zuborev, believes that the Summit might have a negative impact on the owners of small size vessels cruising along the Neva River.
Nevertheless, there have not been official information from St. Petersburg authorities.
