Russian Arrivals To Greece Expected To Increase In 2014

The deputy head of the Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation, Evgeny Pisarevsky, speaking to the Greek press in Thessaloniki.

Some 1.3 million Russian tourists are expected to visit Greece in 2014, according to the deputy head of the Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation, Evgeny Pisarevsky.

While speaking to the press on the sidelines of the 29th Philoxenia exhibition in Thessaloniki, Mr. Pisarevsky said Russians opt for the country thanks to the positive attitude of the Greeks. He underlined that the common religion of the two countries plays an important role in boosting tourism traffic.

Forecasts have said that roughly one million Russian tourists will visit Greece in 2013.

More Greeks in Russia this year

“The tourist flow is also reverse – from Greece to Russia – since Greeks visiting Russia are estimated to increase by 35 percent in 2013 compared to last year,” Mr. Pisarevsky said while speaking at an event held by Mouzenidis Travel during the Philoxenia expo.

Visa issue

Russia’s deputy head of the federal agency for tourism said he hoped that with Greece holding the Presidency of the European Union in 2014, the Russian proposal on the visa issue will be accepted.

The proposal aims to give Russians the ability to make transit visits lasting a maximum of 72 hours in 20 EU countries without visas.

Mr. Pisarevsky also told the press that in five years from today, Greece could attract up to 3.6 million Russian tourists annually.

He added that 2015 should be declared the “Year of Greek-Russian Tourism.”