Russian summer holiday bookings for Greece record a 25% -30% increase currently compared to last year, according to tourismlobby.blogspot.gr latest data from Moscow.
A general upward trend is evident but its intensity varies by destination and by tour operator.
The blog notes that this year has a special and increased interest for Greece, not because there are dramatic developments in the country’s general status in relation to Russian outbound tourism market, but because of radical changes in relation to other, competitive popular destinations of Russians, such as Turkey and Egypt.
Generally speaking, this year there are significant economic difficulties in Russia but the ruble appears to be stabilizing near a better rate, and this parameter can positively influence the flow of outgoing traffic, as we approach the summer season.
Favored destinations
Destinations that have been favored by recent ruble fluctuations and geopolitical developments include Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria and, secondarily, Israel.
Egypt also seems to be recovering lately and there is ample talk about the possibility of the specific destination “opening” in May, despite the Russian government’s opposition to such an event.
For Greece, the main key remains the rate of biometric visas delivery.
The recent impressive declaration by Head of Russian Federal Tourism Agency Rosturism Oleg Safonof that Greece is ready to issue visas within 48 hours, is proof of how closely Russia and Greece are working on this issue and the results remain to be seen.
International trade show MITT
Furthermore, Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura today departed for Moscow to attend the international trade show MITT taking place on March 23 – 26 at the Moscow Expocentre, planning to promote strongly Greece’s tourism industry to the Russian market.
On Wednesday, Ms. Kountoura will attend the opening ceremony of the exhibition and then inaugurate the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) pavillion, which hosts a number of Greek regions, destinations and tourism businesses.
The Greek Minister is accompanied by EOT’s Secretary General Dimitris Trifonopoulos and during her stay in Moscow, she will meet with government officials and leading tour operators as well as give a series of interviews to the Russian media.
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
