The main goal of Russians in Finland is to buy food. This was reported by Finnish broadcaster Yle with reference to the analytical center.
As stated by the Director of the center feed Nurkka, in a survey of more than 20 thousand Russian tourists, 80 percent of them admitted that visit this country to purchase food. In addition, travelers interested in the Finnish parts.
The expert noted that the embargo on the import of food products from this country significantly increased the flow of Russian tourists coming specifically for the food. Now, however, due to the fall of the ruble, the Russians have not so much money for shopping, he added.
Nurkka also said that in 2014, Russian tourists spent an average 142 euros per trip. In 2015, this amount fell to 115 euros.
One of the most productive periods for the Finnish tourism was 2013. Then the country was visited by 5.2 million foreign travelers. In 2015, two million less, said SO.
The store owner in South Karelia Reijo Tervo remembered how to behave Russian tourists in 2013. “That’s when the Russians were buying everything — just everything! Today, they scrutinize the price. The goods on sale are going well, but even beloved by Russians fish left on the counter” — said the businessman.
In the summer of 2014, Moscow imposed a ban on the import of products from countries supporting anti-Russian sanctions. The list includes USA, Canada, Australia, EU member States (including Finland), Norway, Albania and other countries.
The food embargo was a response to the sanctions imposed against Russia in the spring of 2014 due to the annexation of the Crimea and the situation in the East of Ukraine. From 6 August 2015 to the decree of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin banned the import of products into the country shall be destroyed.
