European tour operators are planning to organize “vaccination tours” to Russia. Due to the lack of COVID-19 vaccine in European countries, many citizens of EU countries will have to wait for their turn for an injection at least until autumn. This situation gives an advantage to Russia, where there is enough vaccine, but it is not in great demand among the population. One of the tour operators is already selling “vaccination tours” to Russia for 1200-3000 euros. A spokesman for the firm claims that his high-ranking interlocutors in Russia are confident in the imminent opening of the Russian borders.

Pilots vaccination tours to Russia for Russians

At the beginning of next week, residents of this country who have a Russian passport will fly to Moscow from Berlin, Frankfurt and other cities in Germany. This will be the first, partly PR tour of the German branch of the Norwegian tour operator World Visitor. Participants in this tour will have to spend only on air tickets: vaccinations and accommodation have already been paid for. The agency was assisted in organizing the trip by the All-Russian Popular Front.

For citizens of other countries, which the company plans to start bringing to Russia from April 18, only the vaccine itself will be free of charge. Since there are no official statements about permission for foreigners to get vaccinated in Russia, now only preliminary orders for tours are accepted – without mutual obligations.

The basic package will cost the client 2999 euros. The price includes plane tickets, 22 nights in Moscow in a four-star hotel with breakfast and transfers. PCR test before vaccination is paid separately.

The second round, for 1499 euros, involves two short tours to Istanbul (Turkey) via Moscow. In this case, injections will be made in the transit area of the Moscow airport.

Finally, the cheapest option for foreigners is 1199 euros. These are two trips to Moscow with an injection and an overnight stay in the transit zone of the airport.

The press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said on March 30 that representatives of some European states had appealed to the Russian authorities with a request to simplify the entry for those wishing to be vaccinated.

Peskov stressed that such issues are resolved by the government headquarters under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova. “Of course, the president will be guided by the decision, the recommendations made by the government headquarters,” Interfax quotes Putin’s press secretary.

Preparing for “vaccination rounds” in Italy

According to DW, other travel companies are also preparing vaccination tours. For example, the Italian Eurasian Travel. Its founder, Pietro di Febo, told DW that he expects Russia to return to its regular visa regime. There are already about 250 people on the waiting list of his company who want to combine vaccinations with a tour of Russia. The trip will cost up to 4,000 euros.