Decreased demand for Krasnodar travels due to cooler summer weather conditions.
The weather in 2025 has had a notable impact on tourism in the Krasnodar Region, Russia, particularly on its Black Sea coastal resorts such as Sochi and Anapa.
In mid-June 2025, torrential rains caused flooding in Sochi, leading authorities to temporarily close official beaches for swimming for at least 24 hours. The city experienced strong winds, hail, and water level rises, although critical infrastructure and public transport remained unaffected. The storm also brought colder temperatures in mountainous areas, dropping to freezing at elevations above 2,000 meters.
Despite these adverse weather events, July 2025 prospects for tourism are somewhat improved. Meteorological forecasts suggest moderately warm weather with light rains and temperatures close to climatic norms for much of European Russia, including Krasnodar Region areas. There is hope for a stable beach season starting mid-July with temperatures around 22-25°C and limited precipitation.
However, challenges remain for some coastal areas. In Anapa and Temryuk, environmental issues such as oil spills led to 150+ beaches being declared unfit for swimming for the entire summer 2025 season by health authorities. This has likely dampened tourism despite local optimism and visitors downplaying water safety concerns.
The unpredictable weather and environmental hazards have disrupted typical summer tourism patterns in the Krasnodar Region in 2025. According to a report, 10% of tourists from distant regions have cancelled their trips due to the weather.
Despite these setbacks, tour operators predict a surge in bookings for many resort destinations in August and the shoulder season due to unfavorable weather conditions in other regions of Russia. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia has reported that the only Black Sea direction showing an increase in bookings this summer is Crimea.
To address the concerns about beach conditions, a tour portal is expected to report weekly on the condition of beaches in the Krasnodar region. Additionally, discounts are expected to be offered on resorts in Gelendzhik, Sochi, and Anapa, reaching up to 55%, 30%, and 15% respectively.
As the weather in the Krasnodar Region is expected to be genuinely hot in July, with temperatures rising to +30-31 degrees Celsius, there is hope that the region will attract more visitors as the summer progresses. However, the impact of any further extreme weather events remains to be seen.
In light of the unpredictable weather and environmental issues, some travelers might opt for a change in their lifestyle, prioritizing destinations with more stable conditions, such as the Black Sea region's Crimea, rather than Sochi, Anapa, or other Krasnodar Region resorts. Despite the discounts on resorts in Gelendzhik, Sochi, and Anapa, the persistent concerns about beach conditions may affect the travel decisions of potential tourists throughout the remainder of the summer.
