New Delhi: Russian embassy on Monday expressed "utter disappointment" with reports of India being identified as unfavourable tourist place, saying while its nationals are asked to refrain from visiting certain countries, "never ever" has any such advisory issued for its strategic partner India.
"The Embassy expresses utter disappointment with numerous media reports about India having been identified by Russia as an unfavourable tourist destination, which misquoted unofficial sources," a release said here.
The Russian embassy release also made it clear that "while advisories have regularly been issued by Russian authorities for Russian citizens to refrain from visiting certain countries for various reasons, never ever has any of the kind been recommended as regards of India.
"The Embassy underlines that there is no official list of destinations recommended for Russian tourists. Russia and India are friendly nations and strategic partners, historically sharing the 'Atithidevo Bhava' attitude towards each other."
The increase of inflow of Russian tourists to India is expected during the 2015-2016 tourist season, which at its peak touched 150,000 Russians visiting India in winter months, it added.
Some reports in Goa quoted head of Russian Information Centre (RIC) there Ekaterina Belyakova as saying that "both India and Goa were not considered as good destinations for Russian travellers".
