Tour operators pinned their hopes for the Anapa season on the opening of the beaches.

Bookings in Anapa are quite active at all-inclusive hotels, where beach vacations are not the key focus, but the decision to open the beaches will undoubtedly increase the flow of vacationers, according to tour operators.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," the Russian Deputy Prime Minister stated that work to fill the beaches with new sand should be completed by the start of the beach season. He added that if the work goes according to plan, the beaches will be open by June 1. Environmentalists, however, believe it is too early to talk about the suitability of the beaches for tourists, as the sunken parts of the fuel oil tankers have not yet been raised, and residual pollution remains on the sand. In Anapa, amid government announcements about the imminent reopening of beaches, hotel bookings are increasing. However, both tourism industry employees and local residents are speaking cautiously about the start of the resort season.

A representative of the Deauville travel agency, which recommends a five-star hotel in Anapa, said bookings are active.

"The rock beaches have already opened. Judging by the trend, decisions will be made on the sandy beaches soon. We are waiting. But bookings for Anapa are already very active. "There are still some spots left for May," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

As soon as official data is available, the beach will be fully equipped for hotel guests.

According to her, bookings were also quite strong last year.

"Our hotels are all-inclusive. We have our own swimming pools, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, an entertainment program, a spa, and a thermal complex. This year, we expect to open a sandy beach. As soon as official data is available, the beach will be fully equipped for hotel guests. "These are sun loungers, changing cabins, a shower, a toilet, and a bar on the beach," she explained.

A manager at the Sputnik8 travel agency reported that bookings for excursions to Anapa's attractions are going well.

"The excursions aren't related to beach recreation; they don't take place on beaches. That's why bookings for excursions have been going smoothly both last year and this year," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

There are generally available spots for the May ones, but bookings are going well.

A manager at the Yuzhny Parus hotel chain reported that they are awaiting the administration and Rospotrebnadzor's approval regarding the start of the swimming season.

"They are currently developing a system to cover the beaches with clean sand. But "You shouldn't expect the beach to be accessible in May. There are generally vacancies in May, but bookings are going actively," she said.

The manager also reported that the hotels have swimming pools, so tourists were eager to come last year, despite the closed beaches.

"But locals from the Krasnodar region still came to relax. In fact, we swam last year, and some guests swam too. The only thing is that we're not allowed to put our equipment on the beach because of this whole situation. Otherwise, everything was cleaned up last winter, and it's already quite clean. The pebble beaches were the first to open. But they're 12 km from Anapa toward Sochi. We're expecting a decision by June 1, and then the influx of tourists will increase even more," she said.

On December 15, 2024, two tankers carrying fuel oil sank in Kerch Strait. As a result, a crew member of one of the tankers died. In addition, an oil spill occurred, leading to catastrophic environmental consequences, according to the Caucasian Knot report "Fuel Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait".

Materials on the consequences of the fuel oil spill have been collected by the Caucasian Knot on the page "Ecological Disaster in Kuban".