What you should know about travelling to Sochi

If you were hoping to head to this year’s Winter Olympics at the spur of the moment, don’t despair: You still can.

There are still plenty of flights and hotel rooms available and the International Olympic Committee says 30 per cent of the tickets for sporting events in Sochi are up for grabs, with less than three weeks to go before the opening ceremony.

READ MORE: Sochi still scrambling to sell Olympic tickets

Travel expert Claire Newell is based in Vancouver, host city for the last Winter Games in 2010.

“Demand for Sochi has been so low compared to other cities, whether it’s for  Summer or Winter Olympics,” she said. “Anyone who really wanted to go probably planned their trip a year ago.”

“We’re seeing lots of flights available still… They’re costing around $1,800, including tax, per person,” she told Global News. “And we’re still seeing availability for three-star hotels that are close, say 20 kilometres from downtown Sochi, for $100-a-night per room.”

Newell said other than athletes, she expects more foreign media will be filling up hotel rooms in Sochi than foreign visitors.

She could be right if people decide to avoid the Games because of safety fears.

Vancouver Canucks goalie and Team Canada member Roberto Luongo told media on Wednesday safety in Sochi is on his mind and that the security of the event is part of the reason his family won’t be there.

“I’d rather them be safe at home,” Luongo said.

His Canucks teammate and Team Sweden member Daniel Sedin also said his family would not be there — with the exception of his twin brother and teammate Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin.

READ MORE: Sochi security on the minds of Canucks players headed to Olympics

U.S. speedskater Tucker Fredricks reportedly asked his parents to stay home.

His father Dan Fredricks told Wisconsin’s Janesville Gazette this week he and his wife Shawn, who both watched their son compete in the Vancouver and Torino Winter Olympic Games, want their son to be able to focus on competing and not be worrying about their safety.

The issue of safety at the Games has been a talking point for participants, spectators and world leaders for much of the past year leading up to the event.

Recent terrorist attacks in Russia and the country’s anti-gay propaganda law should be points of concern for Canadians travelling to see or take part in next month’s Winter Games and the Paralympic Games in March, according to the Canadian government.

“Any high-profile international event is vulnerable to the risk of a terrorist attack. If you are planning to travel to the Games, take sensible precautions,” Foreign Affairs said said on its website, noting there are already special security arrangements in place, including at Olympic venues, border crossing and airports.

The Dagestan-based group Ansar Al-Sunna posted a video online on Sunday saying it also had the Sochi Olympics in its sights.

“If you hold these Olympics, we will give you a present for the innocent Muslim blood being spilled all around the world: In Afghanistan, in Somalia, in Syria,” two Russian-speaking men warned in the video.

The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have been the focus of worldwide attention since the Russian government adopted a law that forbids the public promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations.”

Homosexual activity is not illegal in Russia, but the “dissemination of information, statements, displays or conspicuous behaviour” could lead to arrest, imposition of a fine and deportation for foreign visitors, the Canadian government notes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said athletes and fans “with nontraditional orientation” attending the Games have nothing to fear.

But in an interview with the BBC, Putin said the law was aimed at banning propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia, suggesting that gays are more likely to abuse children, The Associated Press reported.

READ MORE: Putin says Russia needs to ‘cleanse’ itself of homosexuality

To go or not to go

Newell said some are still on the fence. And continuing security concerns, more than any other issues, have been a deciding factor.

Newell said she always advises people to “err on the side of caution.”

“Unless someone absolutely has to be there we would advise them not to go,” she said, adding there could very well be more media there than foreign visitors.

“It’s kind of like Egypt. There’s a time when it’s going to be safe, but right now isn’t that time,” she said.

READ MORE: Russia bombings: Olympic committee says Team Canada’s safety is ‘main priority’ (Dec. 30)

For those who had booked and are having second thoughts, Newell explained it’ll be up to them and the airline they reserved their flight with to sort out arrangements.

“Travel insurance wouldn’t cover it because there is no travel warning or advisory that the Canadian government has put up,” she said. “Until that happens, there are no refunds given. ”

Foreign Affairs advises against travel to several parts of the mountainous North Caucasus region, 150 kilometres away from Sochi. Areas of concern include Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Karachai-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria and several districts of the Stavropol Krai region.

Despite its proximity to North Caucasus, there is no warning for Krasnodar Krai – the federal subject of Russia where Sochi is situated – and the government is only advising people take “sensible precautions.”

“I don’t want people to write off Russia as a destination,” Newell said. “Russia is an amazing country and people should see it.”

But as far as those hoping to relive the Olympic spirit they experienced in Vancouver, she said it may be best to wait for another year and location.

*With files from The Associated Press