Russia strikes down Goa, India from its safe travel destinations list

Picture for representative purposes only. Photo: Reuters

In its latest travel advisory, Russia as asked its citizens to avoid traveling to India and Goa due to security reasons. 

In its recent list of safe travel destinations, India has been struck off the list of safe travel destinations. The recent move is seen as a major blow to Goa's tourism industry. Goa has always been one of the favourite and an affordable destination for Russian tourists. 

According to a report by Times of India, the Russian information centre in Goa stated that the revised travel advisory had been issued following the blacklisting of Egypt and Turkey.

Also Read: Putin approves economic retaliation measures against Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin had cancelled all flights to Egypt after the October 31 explosion of a Russian passenger plane near a popular tourist spot in the country. Russia has also appealed its citizens to cancel vacations in Turkey after Turkish missiles shot down a Russian fighter jet in Syria.

Cuba, south Vietnam and southern China have been put under the 'safe' category in the list.   

Russians constitute almost half of the total foreign visitor in Goa. Since 2002, the number of Russian tourists has been on the rise steadily. 

In 2013, the number of Russian tourists visiting Goa was 250,000.