For the Greece tourism sector sanctions against Russia may have already spoiled the end of an otherwise record summer touristic season. At least this is partially true for customers of one of Russia’s largest Greek focused tourism agencies, Labirint. The company, the third to fail in Russia ins the last few months, has put Russian travelers at a disadvantage even though officials say current trips are secure.
Labirint announced to their customers that all operations will stop, but that travelers currently on trips will be safely returned home. Estimates put the number of Russian travelers overseas right now at around 20,000. Another 200 thousand have already prepaid for their holidays to the end of September. And According to the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), ups to 10,000 customers of the Russian tour operator are currently in Greece.
The bankruptcy of Labirint stem from financial difficulties since the shutdown of parent company Ideal-Tour. Labirint was established in 1995 and sold tourism packages to travelers to Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Spain and other holiday destinations. The company is the latest in a spree of Russian tour company shutdowns that include; Expotour, Neva, and the Moscow-based Roza Vetrov Mir.
As a result of the debts, Orenburg Airlines has canceled some 30 plus flights with Ideal Tour’s customers that were scheduled to fly to destinations in Greece including; Corfu, Heraklion, Santorini and Zakynthos. This certainly means widespread cancellations of hotel and other reservations.
The company’s website now displays insurance company information to help customers secure transport home, and to seek financial reimbursement. Greek Travel Pages (GTP) carries more information for those in need as well.
