Crimea welcomed 43,000 tourists on New Year holidays — republic’s minister

Russia’s Crimea welcomed during the New Year holidays 43,000 tourists despite of the electricity deficit at that time, the republic’s minister of resorts and tourism, Sergei Strelbitsky, said on Friday. From November 22, electricity supplies were stooped after an accident at the electricity line from Ukraine. The local authorities say the damage from that blackout is $4.5 million. Autonomous electricity generators supplied the energy to 133 of possible 262 hotels, thus only 31% of the rooms were taken. However, the ministry has not received any complaints regarding services provided during the New Year holidays. "Thank God, the local people and the visiting tourists realize the situation clearly," the minister said. "The very fact that the tourists remained on the peninsula through end of the holiday season proves it was not only leisure for them, but also the support for Crimea, which it needs very much.".