Hotel operators hit by Russian economic crisis

Hotel keepers in the Low and High Tatra Mountains are suffering from the economic conflict with Russia and the rapid plunge in Russian ruble, recording drops in the numbers of Russian holiday-makers by even 80 percent compared with the past, reports the Hospodarske Noviny on Tuesday. "We've also felt the consequences of the conflict and the complicated situation in eastern Ukraine here under the Tatra Mountains", said Gabriel Jamnický of J.M.G. Travel Agency-Ski School, which operates in the High Tatras. With the week-long spring vacation in the Bratislava region in place since Saturday (February 28), ski resorts in the Tatras have filled with visitors for the time being. Nevertheless, as Jamnický admitted, even this increase can't make up for the marked drops in the number of Russian-speaking clients. Manager of a number of hotels in Stará Lesná (Prešov region) Jozef Ivanič told the daily that they have also witnessed increased interest on the part of Polish travellers. However, Poles are also told to venture off for the Tatras mainly during school vacations. Moreover, many Polish skiers more often than not decide to come in the morning and leave in the evening.