Ukraine war hits tourism, 7 European countries seek €2 trillion from EU

Brussels: Seven European Union member states have called for special funding from the bloc’s proposed €2 trillion budget to support tourism in their border regions, which have been affected by the Ukraine war and growing security concerns.

According to Euronews, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia have written to the relevant European Commission officials, highlighting the challenges facing tourism in areas bordering or located close to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

The letter said the geopolitical situation created by the Russia-Ukraine war and growing security concerns had affected tourist arrivals in these regions. Small and medium-sized businesses have also been facing difficulties due to declining investment and increased economic uncertainty.

According to Latvia’s Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Economics, violations of airspace by Russian and, at times, Ukrainian drones have also created fear and uncertainty among tourists, resulting in hotel booking cancellations and the cancellation of events, affecting business revenues.

According to a survey of 94 tourism and hospitality businesses in Latvia’s eastern Latgale region, 72 percent reported a decline in revenue and tourist numbers in June 2026 compared with the same month last year. Nearly 20 percent of businesses reported a decline in revenue of at least 50 percent.

The seven countries have urged the European Commission to allocate adequate funding for tourism in border regions under the next long-term financial framework to help hotels, businesses and tour operators cope with the challenges.

The European Commission has confirmed receiving the letter from the seven countries and said it would respond in due course. Brussels is also expected to take into account the security and economic challenges facing border regions while developing its future European tourism strategy.