You are right with your disagreement, because the article starts quite sensational with this phrase and does not make it clear enough how different was USSR in

You are right with your disagreement, because the article starts quite sensational with this phrase and does not make it clear enough how different was USSR in different times. It is a typical mistake that many Western writers and readers make to judge Soviet Union based on Stalinism, NEP or Perestroika. Yet as the story in the article develops, you can find there that there was indeed some freedom about travel in Soviet Union. It is unfortunate that it does not cover all aspects of Soviet tourism and the rich culture around it.