Russian Economic Development Ministry recommends suspending sale of tours to Persian Gulf countries

MOSCOW. March 4 (Interfax) - The Economic Development Ministry on Tuesday recommended that tour operators suspend the sale and promotion of tours to six Arab countries of the Persian Gulf and that Russian tourists refrain from traveling to these countries.

"The Russian Economic Development Ministry informs tour operators, travel agents and tourists/excursionists about the security threat in the following countries of the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait," the ministry said.

Due to the ongoing military actions in the region, the ministry recommends that Russian citizens "refrain from traveling to these countries of the Middle East region for tourism purposes until the situation normalizes."

Russian tourists currently in the region are "recommended to exercise increased caution in their actions and movements, monitor official announcements from local authorities and Russian diplomatic missions and strictly follow their instructions," it said.

"To Russian tour operators and travel agents, the Economic Development Ministry recommends suspending the promotion and sale of tourism products, as well as individual tourist services, to these countries of the Middle East until the situation normalizes. It is mandatory to inform Russian tourists who have concluded or are planning to conclude agreements for the sale of tourism products to these countries about the current situation there, and the procedure for amending or terminating the agreement in accordance with article 14 of federal law no. 132-FZ," it said.

Regional authorities in the field of tourism must promptly communicate this information to tourists, tour operators and travel agents.

The ministry recalled that recommendations regarding tourist trips to Iran and Israel remain in effect.

"It is recommended that Russian citizens refrain from traveling to these countries until appropriate official notifications are made," it said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry recommended that Russian tourists refrain from traveling to five Arab countries of the Persian Gulf (the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) due to the fact that they have been affected by the ongoing military actions in the Middle East.