The coastal areas are still being cleaned up following a fuel spill. Hoteliers are voicing concerns about the restrictions imposed by authorities, noting a significant decline in tourism and low hotel occupancy rates. Despite access restrictions on many beaches, visitors are frequently seen sunbathing and swimming there.
In Anapa and the Temryuk district of the Krasnodar Territory, hotels and health resorts are now requiring guests to sign waivers upon check-in. These waivers confirm that guests have been informed about the ban on swimming on local beaches. According to the regional crisis response center, this is an additional measure to educate tourists about potential health risks, including skin issues, allergies, and poisoning, from possible contact with fuel residues in areas still undergoing cleanup. As a safe alternative, authorities suggest tourists use swimming pools at local hotels and health resorts.
In early June, authorities in the Krasnodar Territory identified hazardous coastal areas that should be fenced off from the public. In the Temryuk district, this includes the Black Sea coastline from Volna village up to and including Veselovka village. In Anapa, it covers the Black Sea coastline within the city-resort limits, from Veselovka village to the Utrish nature reserve.
Alexander Zyablov, a hotel owner in Anapa, commented:
Hotel owner in Anapa
“Just yesterday I was there – the water is excellent, very clean. I don`t know what carcinogens anyone is finding there. If we take water samples near the Novorossiysk port or the Tuapse port, or even the Sochi marina, they would be many times worse than the samples taken near Vityazevo. The tourism business in Anapa has declined, the streets are empty. Out of 25% of hotels that are operating, these hotels are only 10% full. At the same time, walking along the coast, taking sun and air baths, the healing air, and so on, are being promoted. So, is the air on the beach poisoned, but clean just across the fence at my hotel? I haven`t seen a single person yet who felt unwell after swimming in the sea – unless they drank too much or got sunstroke.”
Elena Saridis, who manages the Saridis-tour hotel chain in Anapa, also expressed her confusion regarding the purpose of these waivers:
“At this stage, we are not practicing this yet. We do not sell beach services; we sell accommodation and food services, and we cannot control the subsequent actions of our guests.”
“Are there many tourists now?”
“Of course not.”
“Perhaps some colleagues have started taking such waivers?”
“I have heard so, yes, those with their own beaches are developing a form and will start taking waivers now. How effective this will be in practice, I don`t know, because people still go to the beach and swim in the sea anyway.”
Hoteliers and restaurateurs in Anapa are reporting a sharp drop in demand. Hotels are less than half full, and cafes and restaurants, where a year ago it was impossible to get a table without a reservation, now have empty tables. Beachside cafes have simply disappeared, according to a TikTok user who visited Vityazevo:
“End of June, the sea is beautiful today, and the water, the beach is cleaner than before. Everything is so clean, but the beach is empty. All the cafes have been taken apart, as if they never existed.”
Tourists note that hotel prices are lower than last year. However, it`s not hot yet, and the sea is cool, around 20 degrees Celsius, says Stanislav Ermolaev, an environmentalist from Anapa and a specialist in environmental management at the Diluch health resort complex:
“Overall, the number of swimmers has been increasing in recent days. On most sections of the sandy beaches, the situation is quite normal, but formally, swimming is still prohibited there.”
“Maybe there are some beaches where swimming and sunbathing are allowed?”
“It`s hard to pinpoint exactly, because there are certain areas, starting from the central city beach and further along Pionersky Prospekt, Dzhemete towards Vityazevo, where fuel residue is still present. People coming out onto the beach had their feet stained with fuel – this was near the Krasnodarskaya Smena children`s camp. Nearby there is a large complex `Davil`. But these are separate localized areas. Further towards Vityazevo, there are stretches where everything is clean, where the sand on the shore has been sieved, and we don`t observe fuel in the water. It`s difficult to give precise geographical references.”
However, tourists appear undeterred. Videos frequently appear on Telegram channels showing holidaymakers on the Anapa coast. One was published recently, showing people occupying almost the entire area of a pebble beach. Meanwhile, according to the operational headquarters, over 140 beaches are closed in Anapa, and nine in the Temryuk district.
