Tourist traffic between Russia and Jamaica appears set to be disrupted for a while, due in part to recent political developments involving Russia and Ukraine.
News came from Jamaica's Ministry of Tourism, on Thursday, that Transaero Airlines had announced a suspension of service between Moscow and Montego Bay, effective March 28, with a resumption of service set for November.
This development has been attributed to "dramatic currency fluctuations in Russia, their impact on airline operations and recent political developments."
As a direct result of this development, the tourism ministry said in statement that the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Regional Director in Europe had been dispatched to Moscow "to keep in touch with the market and to protect the gains we have made there."
The airline began its Jamaica service in the winter of 2012/13. At the time it was welcomed as a major boost to the tourist trade from that part of the world. It was so successful that the airline opted to maintain the service through the entire year.
Now, however, in light of these developments, Transaero has revealed it is not confident in its ability to maintain the same level of service this year.
Rapid devaluation
A year ago, the Russian ruble’s rate of exchange with the US dollar was 30 to 1; today it is 50 to 1. The company says this dramatic shift in the value of the Russian currency has had a negative impact on the cost of operating the service.
With the Russian winter coming to an end, it is expected that there will be a decline in demand for travel to warm weather destinations, which has also influenced Transaero’s decision.
Crimea
Russia has been dominating the international news in recent weeks, following its decision to take control of Crimea, its former province which had been part of Ukraine for the last half-a-century.
Crimeans voted overwhelmingly a few days ago to secede from Ukraine and rejoin the Russian Federation. That decision has won the support of the Russian Duma (Parliament) and the government of President Vladimir Putin, but has angered Ukraine and western governments, including the United States and member states of the European Union.
Those states have begun imposing limited economic sanctions against Russia and leading Russian figures, thereby adding to concerns about the future health of the country's economy.
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