Seychelles says it 'welcomes Russians with open arms' even as the island nation condemns the war in Ukraine

Russian visitors are welcome at the beach-holiday destination. The island nation has condemned the war in Ukraine.

Seychelles is not at war with Russia. President Wavel Ramkalawan said in an interview thatSeychelles is a tourist destination. Everyone is free to come in.

Even though it voted in favor of a United Nations resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine, Ramkalawan told the media outlet the country welcomed Russians with open arms.

According to its government, tourism accounts for 70% of the country's GDP.

According to official data from the country's statistics agency, Russia was the top tourism market for the 115-island archipelago. The number of Russian tourists to the island has increased three times from a year ago.

The borders of the Indian Ocean island were reopened in March 2021. In the first four months of 2022, it received more than 100,000 international tourists, and 80% of what it received in the same period in 2019.