According to the Norwegian-Ukrainian Friendship Association, Norwegian tourists vacationing in countries like France, Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Croatia are being urged to reconsider where they spend money, withdraw cash, and buy fuel. Citing ongoing economic ties to Russia, the campaign asks travelers to exercise consumer power by bypassing specific retail, banking, and energy brands.
European Tourism Boycott Targets Grocery and Banking Giants
The campaign, spearheaded by the Norwegian-Ukrainian Friendship Association, targets specific European companies that maintain extensive financial connections or operations inside Russia. According to board member Bjørn Johan Berger, many Norwegian travelers want to support Ukraine but feel uncertain about what actions they can take themselves. On holiday, Berger told Nettavisen that tourists can use their consumer power to choose away Russian companies and European firms that continue to earn large profits in Russia or purchase Russian oil.
The targeted entities vary by destination across popular Mediterranean and Eastern European travel hotspots. According to the association’s guidance for tourists:
- France: The appeal applies to the grocery chain Auchan.
- Albania: The group advises avoiding banking services from Raiffeisen and OTP.
- Montenegro: Tourists are urged to avoid CKB bank—which belongs to the OTP group—alongside Lukoil petrol stations.
- Bulgaria: The campaign targets DSK Bank, owned by OTP, and Lukoil gas stations.
- Croatia: The organization asks travelers to bypass Raiffeisen, OTP, and the petrol stations of INA and Lukoil.
Statistics from Statistics Norway (SSB) show that these nations remain frequent destinations for Norwegian travelers. In 2025, Norwegians made 381.000 reiser til Frankrike og 133.000 reiser til Kroatia, contributing to a total of over eight million foreign holiday journeys throughout the year.
Pro Tip: Using consumer power abroad doesn’t have to complicate your itinerary. According to the Norwegian-Ukrainian Friendship Association, simple adjustments like using a different ATM, shopping at an independent grocery store, or fueling up at an alternative petrol station allow tourists to signal opposition without disrupting their holiday plans.
Corporate Ties to Russia Under Scrutiny
The rationale behind the boycott centers on ongoing business activities inside Russia. Raiffeisen Bank International remains one of the largest Western banks operating in the country. According to its 2025 annual results, Raiffeisen reported that its Russian lending business has decreased by 60 percent since the full-scale invasion in 2022, while deposits dropped by 40 percent. While Raiffeisen stated that restrictions on its Russian operations will continue through 2026, the bank has not announced a complete withdrawal from the market.
Similarly, OTP maintains an extensive presence in Russia. According to its official website, the Russian banking division serves roughly two million active customers across 800 service locations, positioning itself among the country’s major banking institutions.
In the retail sector, French supermarket giant Auchan faces ongoing criticism. Investigations by Le Monde and the Russian investigative outlet The Insider alleged that goods from Auchan stores—including clothing and cigarettes—were collected and routed to Russian soldiers under the guise of humanitarian aid. Auchan has denied active or voluntary support for the Russian military, acknowledging only that a product collection occurred at a St. Petersburg store without management’s knowledge of its ultimate destination. Auchan states on its website that it maintains 230 stores in Russia primarily to secure food supplies for the civilian population.
Energy Sector Connections and Supply Chains
Energy companies operating in Southeast Europe also feature prominently in the campaign. Lukoil, one of Russia’s largest oil producers, operates an extensive network of petrol stations in the region. The Norwegian-Ukrainian Friendship Association points to a 2024 mapping by Global Witness, which indicated that refineries owned by Lukoil previously held contracts with Russian defense organizations.
Additionally, the Croatian energy company INA is included in the boycott appeal because it is part of the Hungarian MOL Group. MOL has continued to receive Russian crude oil for its refineries located in Hungary and Slovakia.
While acknowledging that a single retail purchase or tank of gas will not alter the course of the war, Berger argues that cumulative consumer choices increase the commercial and reputational costs for firms remaining in Russia. According to Berger, Ukrainian families live daily with the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression, meaning companies contributing to the Russian war economy should feel that their choices carry a price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are targeted by the Norwegian-Ukrainian Friendship Association?
The campaign urges travelers to avoid grocery chain Auchan, banks including Raiffeisen, OTP, and CKB, as well as petrol stations operated by Lukoil and INA.
Which countries are affected by this tourism boycott advice?
The recommendations specifically target Norwegian tourists visiting France, Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Croatia.
Are the local employees and residents the target of this campaign?
No. The association emphasizes that the campaign directs its focus entirely toward corporate entities and their economic ties, rather than local populations, employees, or the host countries themselves.
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Consumer choices abroad offer a direct way for travelers to align their spending with their values. What are your thoughts on using consumer power during international travel? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below, explore our related articles on European security and current events, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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