Strict Penalties for Aggressive Sea Tour Promoters in Sochi
Individual hosting a beach event in Sochi faces a fine of 5,000 rubles due to unauthorized advertising.
In the tourist-friendly city of Sochi, promoters and boat owners offering sea tours are facing some serious consequences for their pushy sales tactics. Joint raids by local administration and police have been conducted to catch these violators, but it's a cat-and-mouse game - word of mouth quickly alerts touts about the commission's arrival.
One promoter claimed to only offer tours to interested clients near the yacht, while another tried to bolt upon seeing inspectors and had to be escorted back by police officers.
Irina, a promoter, initially denied pushing services, but a video on a phone showed her hounding vacationers. "If you refuse, you'll have to come to the station,"warned a police officer.
The commission's actions are in line with Regional Law No. 608, which prohibits aggressive service on resorts. Irina will likely be slapped with a 5,000 ruble fine, and boat owners could face stricter measures.
Roman Naboka, deputy head of the department for coordinating retail trade in the department of resorts and tourism consumer services in Sochi, explains that touts are fined 5,000 rubles, while boat owners receive letters to controlling bodies like GIMs, tax inspection, Rospotrebnadzor, and labor inspection.
At one dock, over 10 yachts operate, making 2-3 trips daily. Tourists have been complaining about pushy tour offers and the lack of safety information. Some organizers even deceive clients, like one who promised a one-hour ride but ended it after 45 minutes. In such cases, an officially purchased ticket can help prove violations and compensate damages.
After the raid, touts in the seaport were fined 5,000 rubles each. Boat owners are currently undergoing checks by controlling bodies.
Remember, it's not just sea tour operators who are feeling the heat in Sochi. Police recently seized a monkey, a lemur, and a parrot from photographers in the city.
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- Despite the increased scrutiny against aggressive sea tour promoters in Sochi, some operators continue to evade the authorities, with one tout escaping upon seeing inspectors and having to be escorted back by police officers.
- In addition to general-news reports about the stricter penalties for pushy sea tour promoters, the local authorities are also enforcing regulations in other areas, as evidenced by the recent seizure of wildlife from photographers in the city.
