09:03, 10-Jun-2018
2018 World Cup: Travel advisory warns Americans against going to Russia
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Russia is expecting nearly six hundred thousand visitors for the FIFA World Cup. The Kremlin hopes the tournament will be a positive for Russia's image, and show it's a hospitable and welcoming place. A US travel advisory, however, is already telling Americans to reconsider going there. CGTN's Dan Ashby reports.
Say the word 'Russia' and foreigners often think of colour and culture: centuries-old churches, snow-swept cities and of course a taste of vodka. But a US travel advisory this year advised Americans to reconsider visiting. It gave Russia the same security status as the Democratic Republic of Congo - a country where the UN says nearly half a million children might die.
DAN ASHBY MOSCOW "Of course, Russia faces the same terror threat as many major international cities, but the idea that it is as dangerous as the Democratic Republic of Congo, is to be frank, absurd. The story of Moscow right now is one of a place that is brimming with excitement to give the world its biggest welcome."
Russia's state-media claim that Moscow's crime rate alone is at its lowest level in 10 years. And officials say they're confident that security will not be an issue at World Cup.
Russia is a country brimming with World Cup excitement. Bridges have been layered with banners. The churches are showing off their best. And even at the Vodka museum, there is plenty of pride in their culture.
DAN ASHBY MOSCOW "But the USA's travel advisory, might have fallen on deaf ears. Because with 90 thousand Americans due to come to the Russia World Cup, the US is providing more visitors than any other country. Despite their foreign office warning them to think about staying at home. Dan Ashby, CGTN, Moscow."