By Jamie Freed

(Reuters) – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stalled a tourism recovery and caused a 23% decline in flights within Europe and a 15% drop in transatlantic bookings over the first week. ForwardKeys travel data firm ForwardKeys stated Thursday.

These data show that consumers are confident about travel ahead of peak summer. They compare bookings for the weeks from February 24, to March 2, and the week just before Russia opened what it called a “special operation” with Ukraine.

The economic outlook is also being affected by rising inflation and high oil prices. Airliners such as Lufthansa, Qantas Airways or Japan’s ANA Holdings warn that tickets prices will need to go up to offset increased costs.

ForwardKeys reported that the most affected destinations in Europe were located in the East, including Bulgaria, Croatia (Estonia), Georgia, Hungary and Latvia as well Latvia, Lithuania. Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Slovakia saw a drop of 30% to 50% in their bookings.

Russia’s domestic bookings, once one of the most successful markets in the world during the pandemic collapsed by 49%.

Olivier Ponti (ForwardKeys Vice President Insights), said that Russia’s invasion had stopped a recovery in bookings. It happened after Omicron-type coronavirus cases peaked in several countries.

He also said that the effects on transatlantic travel and west European destinations were not as severe as he had expected.

Ponti stated that North Americans are able to tell the difference in wars in Ukraine and Europe. He also said that it was possible for them to see the safety of the rest Europe.