No rest! The queue for the ferry to the Baikal resort of Olkhon takes a day

Ivan Zubov

This year, the problem of where to spend a vacation has become before the Russians in full growth. Western sanctions have led to a sharp reduction in opportunities for foreign holidays, and to a rise in the price of Russian resorts, and to transport problems. According to sociologists, almost half of the country's citizens - 48% - are dissatisfied with this summer's vacation. Moreover, more often than men - 45% - women - 52% express dissatisfaction.

If we add here the chronic underdevelopment of the tourist infrastructure, the picture will become even sadder: there are plenty of places to stay, but the rest in them is more like a mockery.

Here is just one example published by the Irkutsk. Nowhere else: photo of the queue for the ferry to Olkhon Island, taken at 7 a.m. on July 17. Tourists who come from all over the country, believing the loud assurances of local authorities about the development of tourism on Lake Baikal, are forced to spend the night in completely inhuman and unsanitary conditions, without access to a toilet, hot water, or food.

“Courageously overcoming the hardships of waiting, men, women and children languish under the harsh Baikal sun. Of the entertainment, only conflicts with neighbors and catching marmots for carrots.

Still, brave people live in Siberia. Well, what kind of people can still withstand the 24-hour queue for the Olkhonsky ferry...”, - the journalists of the channel comment on the situation.