It’s the second blow to Goa’s tourism industry which was already reeling from a reduction in arrivals due to the devaluation of the rouble.

In a second blow to Goa’s tourism industry which was already reeling from a reduction in arrivals due to the devaluation of the rouble, India has been struck off the list of safe travel destinations recommended for Russian tourists, according to a report by the Russian news agency INTERFAX.

Amongst the destinations now identified as ‘safe’ are Cuba, south Vietnam and southern China. “Both India and Goa were not considered as good destinations for Russian travellers,” said Ekaterina Belyakova, head of the Russian information centre.

In 2013, the number of Russian tourists visiting Goa was 250,000.

The Russians were quick to add that the removal of Goa from the safe list was not connected to terror attacks but some ugly local incidents.

According to booking(dot)com, a room with a sea view and air conditioning in Vietnam will cost Rs 700 per night, while in Goa, the same is not less than Rs 1,500