Anapa's Environmental Crisis: Will the Tourist Season Be Disrupted?

For over a month, efforts to clean Anapa's beloved beaches from oil residue have been underway, yet the task remains challenging. The shoreline is scattered with tiny black pellets of petroleum products.

Although summer seems distant, the remaining winter and spring months will pass quickly. By early June, finding a quality hotel with a pristine beach along the Black Sea coast may become difficult. Typically, summer vacation bookings begin by late winter, offering cost savings and a wider selection.

It’s worth recalling that by July, the Black Sea coast usually experiences a surge in tourists, making even simple pleasures like enjoying boiled corn challenging due to crowds. However, the 2025 summer season could be even more complicated, as Anapa faces the risk of a disrupted tourist season caused by an environmental disaster.

On December 15, 2024, during a storm in the Kerch Strait, two tankers—Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239—were involved in an accident. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, approximately 4,000 tons of fuel oil spilled into the sea. The contaminated area extends along the Krasnodar region’s coast—from Cape Panagia to Anapa—and currents have carried pollutants to the Crimean shoreline.

At around 20 meters depth on the Kerch Strait seabed lie the bow section of Volgoneft 239 and both parts of the broken Volgoneft 212 hull, each containing petroleum products. Recently, the first of four fuel containers was pumped out. The tankers delivered around 500 tons of fuel to shore, with a total cargo volume close to 9,000 tons.

Volunteers and emergency service workers have been combing the beaches for two months, cleaning oil-covered birds and collecting black fuel puddles washed ashore after each storm.

Despite extensive cleanup efforts, signs of the environmental crisis remain visible along nearly the entire Anapa shoreline. Where beaches are usually crowded in summer, the sand is now heavily mixed with clumps of fuel oil. Black, dense, and foul-smelling lumps are scattered everywhere. While specialized sieves remove larger particles, smaller residues linger on the shore. Heavy machinery is employed to remove the top layer of Anapa’s unique sand, which contains quartz citrine grains.

Each new storm brings fresh deposits of fuel oil ashore, forcing cleanup efforts to restart. Ecologists remain cautious, stating that only by April will it be clear if the sea is safe for swimming. The Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing regularly shares water quality measurements, which currently show no immediate danger, but caution is advised.

Meanwhile, resorts in Anapa report cancellations of summer bookings. Telegram channels mention up to a 20% refund rate for accommodations along Pioneer Avenue, one of the areas most affected by the spill. Earlier, the State Duma noted a 40% decline in interest in family vacations at this resort.

Dmitry Gorin, Vice President of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry, confirmed a significant drop in bookings specifically for Anapa.

"Booking rates have decreased by about 40%. Travelers are canceling trips, but a mass exodus has not yet occurred. Many are adopting a wait-and-see approach since cancellations currently incur no penalties," Gorin told Woman.ru.

Hotels in Anapa are also delaying the release of summer offers, which usually appear in early spring. This year, announcements may be postponed until April, when sea temperatures rise and the environmental situation becomes clearer.

"Volunteers, emergency services, and local authorities are working tirelessly to eliminate the environmental disaster and remove fuel oil. The situation is indeed difficult. Anapa is a popular resort, with over 4.5 million visitors last year. It hosts many family hotels and all-inclusive resorts. If this destination is shut down, redistributing tourists will be challenging," explained an industry expert.

Regarding vacation costs, prices are expected to increase by about 10% from last year, roughly in line with inflation. Despite the oil spill’s negative impact, hoteliers are reluctant to attract tourists with discounts.

"The peak booking period for Russia’s summer season begins in April, which will provide a clearer picture. Last year, the average cost for two people for a week was about 1,200 USD, excluding transportation. Ticket prices are also expected to rise by around 30%," Gorin concluded.

Travel agencies are currently hesitant to promote Anapa due to uncertainties and recommend alternative destinations with comparable prices. For example, a one-week trip to Anapa with six days of excursions costs roughly 700 USD per person. For the same price, travelers can enjoy holidays in Gelendzhik or Tuapse, though transportation costs are extra.

"There are very few offers for Anapa at the moment, and no definitive information about the season. However, no official travel bans are in place. If travel becomes impossible, tours can be canceled or exchanged," said representatives from the 'Big Country' travel agency.

A staff member at the 'Rus' tour operator admitted that Anapa packages are not currently selling.

"There’s no demand at all; we expect more clarity on availability and prices in about a month," she noted.

In summary, no one can yet confirm if Anapa’s tourist season will proceed as planned. Ecologists warn that if the offshore spill is not contained, the season in Anapa—and also on the Kerch Peninsula—may be lost. Other Black Sea resorts could face an influx of visitors as a result.

Photo credits: Nataly Klyuchinskaya / Wonderful Nature / Natalia Kokhanova / Shutterstock / FOTODOM

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