From Milan to Russia to receive Sputnik: the new tourism
The vaccination campaign in Italy is proceeding slowly, as it is in the rest of Europe. And citizens are beginning to look [...]
The vaccination campaign in Italy is proceeding slowly, as it is in the rest of Europe. And citizens are beginning to look at whether there are alternative solutions. Such is the case with the trips to Serbia, of the Flights to Cuba to be vaccinated. In recent weeks, however, holding the headlines are the Travels from Milan to Russia to receive Sputnik. A real trend that, in Italy, was launched by theEurasian Travel of Bologna.
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How does the vaccination tourism on Russian soil? Let's find out together.
From Milan to Russia to receive Sputnik: how vaccine tourism works
The Russian vaccine is definitely coveted. However, at least until the end of June, Ema does not seem intent on approving it. Thus, those who intend to be administered the R-Pharm serum have no choice but to adhere to the proposals of travel agencies.
From Milan to Russia to receive Sputnik: that's the idea of Bologna-based Eurasian Travel, a small tour operator specializing in travel to Russia and China. "We have never dealt with medical tourism, although it is a very strong sector: there are people moving to get their teeth done, their hair done, and cosmetic care in general," explained its director, Pietro Di Febo, reiterating that, since the end of last year, dozens and dozens of clients have expressed a willingness to fly to Moscow to get (finally) vaccinated.
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Photo from Pixabay
Does the trip cost a lot? Not too much. Not least because, in Russia, hotel prices have plummeted precipitously. If in 2019 for a five-star hotel in Moscow you paid 300 euros per night, today you hardly go beyond 80. Travel packages with Sputnik included start from €1,700 excluding flight, but it easily goes up to €9,000 if you combine it with a discovery tour of the south of the country.
Tour operators, virtually at a standstill since February 2020, are thus beginning to look at vaccination tourism as an opportunity. Especially in the short term. However, at least as far as Sputnik is concerned, it is a rather long journey. Russia is around the corner, it is true, but at least three weeks must pass between the first and second administration. "Normally tourist trips last 11 days at most, here you get up to 23: we need to fill the visitors' days," commented Di Febo, who has come up with several packages. There are organized trips on every single day and proposals that include medical check-up, first vaccine, three weeks or so of free travel and booster.
The trip from Milan to Russia to receive Sputnik has been booked to date by hundreds of Italians. Predominantly couples and singles from northern Italy. The 60-70% of requests comes from Bergamo and Brescia, followed by Campania and Sardinia.
Photo from Pixabay
Not only from Italy to Russia: European countries in search of Sputnik
It is not only Italians who fly to Russia to get their Sputnik fix.
"Tell your friends to follow Sputnik V on Twitter. Our followers will be the first to be invited to come to Russia to get the vaccine": so wrote the official serum account last April 1. Russia, in fact, intends to kick off a full-fledged Vaccination tourism program starting next July.
Tell your friends to follow Sputnik V on Twitter!✌️
Our social media followers will be the first to be invited to get #SputnikVaccinated in Russia when the program starts. pic.twitter.com/Sxn17cjlmQ- Sputnik V (@sputnikvaccine) April 1, 2021
Meanwhile, other tour operators on the continent are making moves. WorldVisitor, a Norwegian agency, is offering packages starting at 1,999 euros for "tourists" from the Nordic countries and Germany. One can choose to stay in Russia for the entire period between doses, or to go and return. But there are also countries like Austria that deem vaccination tourism "deplorable." Or rather, they consider it deplorable that the European Union fails to offer vaccines to all its inhabitants.
