Russian tourists will not have problems paying for services in Turkey since the Russian Mir payment system is becoming more widely accepted, Turkish Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati said, Reuters reported, citing the Demirören news agency.
“Around 15 percent of businesses currently accept the Mir card, and thanks to the banks, that number is growing. There won’t be any problems,” Nebati was quoted as saying by the agency when asked how Russian tourists can vacation in Turkey amid Western sanctions on Moscow and blocks of its financial system over its invasion of Ukraine.
Turkey has not joined the international sanctions against Russia imposed due to its war on Ukraine.
US payment firms Visa Inc (V.N) and Mastercard Inc (MA.N) suspended operations in Russia over the invasion and said they would work with clients and partners to cease all transactions there.
Nebati also said he believed Turkey would exceed its target of 45 million tourists and $35 billion in tourism revenue since hotels are booked at 90 percent capacity in May, according to Demirören.