More than 700 tour operators and travel agents from almost all regions of the Russian Federation participated in the Mouzenidis Group Business Forum 2016 held on Tuesday, March 1 at central Moscow Renaissance Monarch hotel, on occasion of the tourism season opening in Greece.
The Moscow Forum is the first in a series of respective events to be held during March in seven cities throughout Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
The Group’s event was attended by Greek Ambassador to Russia Mrs. Danae-Magdalini Koumanakou, the Cyprus Ambassador to Russia Mr. George Ch. Kasoulides, the Consul General of Greece in Moscow Eleni Michalopoulou, the Director of the Greek National Tourism Organization in Russia and the CIS countries Mr. Polycarp Eustathius as well as the Director of the Tourism Organization of the Republic in Russia Mr. Dimitris Dimitriou.
The Ambassador of Greece, Mrs. Danae-Magdalini Koumanakou announced that in order to meet the new requirements for biometric data on visas, Greece will strengthen consular authorities with the necessary personnel and will increase by 50% the number of visa centers.
Increased demand for visas
The General Consul Ms. Helen Michalopoulou said that the Consulate General of Moscow will do everything possible to meet the requirements regarding the increased demand for visas and specified that the goal is to operate a total of 29 Visa Centers in Russia in the immediate future.
Mouzenidis Group executives in the Russian market said that despite the recent refugee crisis in Greece and general uncertainty about the state of Russia’s economy affecting mainly the Euro/Ruble exchange rate, they witness a 25%-30% increase in bookings for most Greek destinations.
Their estimate is that if there are no unforeseen negative developments, and the visa issuing process operates smoothly, customer traffic to Greece from the Russian market, can increase up to 50% this year.
Market share of over 30%
Mouzenidis Group is the only Greek owned and by far the largest tour operator for Greece in the Russian market, with a market share of over 30%, as one in three Russians visiting Greece, book through the Group.
Mouzenidis Travel cooperates with more than 2,000 hotels in all regions of the country and, especially for certain destinations, such as Crete, it has scheduled more than triple available airline seats and flights this year compared with the 2015 period.
The Group also announced its penetration in the Cyprus market and establishment of its offices in Limassol.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
