Ilegal travel companies threaten reputation of tourist business in Siberia and Far East

MOSCOW, February 16. /TASS/. The Association of tour operators of Russia (ATOR) has expressed concern over the expansion of illegal travel business in Siberia and the Russian Far East. The Siberian entrepreneurs have expressed serious concern over worsening services provided by Illegal travel companies, ATOR said. The Siberian Baikal Association of Tourism (SBAT) lodged a complaint, saying that illegal foreign entrepreneurs were attempting to legalize their activity in the tourist business. "If a short while ago they had been selling everyday clothes and footwear on the market; today, they are attempting to legalize business, getting registered as tour operators under the cover of some company with only a vice-president registered as a citizen of Russia," SBAT said. The problem has acquired a catastrophic character in the east of Russia, where Korean citizens provide tourist services to 95 percent of their compatriots from South Korea; a similar situation has been reported in respect to tourists from China, it said. "The main problems created by illegal tour operators are absence of safety guarantees, a low quality of transportation services, accommodation, catering and sightseeing services. The activity of illegal tour operators seriously undermines Russia’s reputation," ATOR said. "All these problems are typical not only of the Russian Far East; they exist in Moscow, St.Petersburg and in cities on the itinerary of the Gold Ring sightseeing tour ( which includes Suzdal, Vladimir and other cities in central Russia)." Read more