Krasnodar, April 29 – Yug Times

Krasnodar's Traffic Nightmare Is Driving Tourists Away from the Black Sea

Road trips remain a top choice for travelers heading to the Black Sea coast. According to Yekaterina Afonina, deputy director general of the Transport Development Institute LLC, 40% of visitors to the Krasnodar region opt for this mode of travel. The issue was discussed at a meeting in Krasnodar focused on how resorts and the tourism sector are adapting to a shifting landscape.

"This isn't just a statistic—it's a growing trend that is putting significant strain on road infrastructure," Afonina emphasized. "In 2024 alone, motorists lost over 19 million hours stuck in traffic. Travel fatigue has become a major deterrent for repeat visits."

The expert warns that the situation is set to worsen: with auto tourism on the rise and road networks already operating at capacity, congestion on routes to the coast could increase by another 1.7 times if no action is taken.

"Our research over the past two years paints a troubling picture," Afonina noted. "During peak season, the time-loss index hits 1.55—meaning a one-hour trip stretches to an hour and a half or more. Without systemic solutions, chronic gridlock could affect around 40% of the region's main road network, with direct economic losses reaching 136 billion rubles."

The conference was organized by the Yug Times Business Communications Agency, with support from the National Hospitality Industry Union, the Public Chamber of Krasnodar Krai, and the Legislative Assembly of Krasnodar Krai.

Earlier, Yug Times reported on discussions in Krasnodar about how resorts and tourism are adjusting to the new reality.