ru.krymr.com
The move is due to the EU sanctions, the company explains.
Booking.com on its website has switched off an option of reserving accommodation in the occupied Crimea.
"We’re sorry, it is not possible to make leisure reservations in Crimea at this time on our website," reads the service message if users choose Crimea as their desired leisure destination, Krym.Realii reports.
The owner of one of the hostels in the resort city of Sudak on her Facebook page published an official response from the service, which states that the company has limited reservations in her location due to EU sanctions.
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"Booking.com always strives to comply with all relevant and applicable laws in force in the territory where it operates," the response delivered in Russian reads.
"As Booking.com B.V. is based in the Netherlands, we must comply with EU trade sanctions against Crimea. According to sanctions, Booking.com is not allowed to offer any services directly related to tourist activities in Crimea," the company says.
In December 2016, the Ukrainian Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea opened criminal proceedings against Booking.com for "trafficking in stolen goods." In particular, it was noted that the service "conducts operations and sells accommodation in resorts and hotels across Crimea, which have been stolen from Ukraine."
Later, Booking.com made it possible to search and book accommodation in the illegally annexed Crimea only for those who travel for purposes other than leisure.
In May 2017, Booking.com on its website defined Crimea as part of Ukraine.