“Russia and Greece: realities and prospects of cooperation in tourism” is the theme of a bilateral conference, which will be held in Athens from 10 to 13 May 2016.
The event will be organized with the support of the Federal Agency for Tourism of Russian Federation and the Greek Ministry of Economics and Development of Tourism.
Russia will be represented by the head of the Federal Agency for Tourism of Russian Federation Oleg Safonov, the leadership of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI), travel agents, tour operators and experts of tourist information centers. Greece will be represented by the Ministry of Economics and Tourism Development, Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), hospitality organizations and hotel chains.
Russian representatives will outline tourism opportunities in Russia while discussions will focus on the possibility of expanding bilateral cooperation in the tourism area between the countries.
Mainly because of the ruble exchange rate, the tourist flows from Russia to Greece during last year fell by 48% compared to the same period in 2014.
Recovery in tourist flows
Nevertheless, in 2016 GNTO predicts a recovery in tourist flow from Russia to the 2013 levels.
To this end, Greek hoteliers offer low prices for Russian tourists along with the popular “all inclusive” system. Moreover, Greece also increased the number of long-term Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens, opened new visa centers and increased its employees in the centers that are already in operation.
At the same time, the number of Greek tourists who visited Russia increased by 7% last year and a Visit Russia office is to open in Thessaloniki.
Furthermore, the joint Greco-Russian initiative of the ‘Year 2016? will highlight and strengthen the close historical and cultural ties between the two nations and promote each county’s culture to the other.
37 cultural events
During the “2016 Greek-Russian initiative,” which is dedicated to the promotion of Greece to the Russian public and of Russia to the Greek public, Athens and Moscow are planning a series of 37 cultural events aiming “at renewing the traditional bonds of friendship and to enhance awareness and cooperation”.
The events include the Greek exhibition at the Hermitage and Historical Museums, the organization of a round table at the XX International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, participation in professional tourism fairs by both countries and others.
“Today, foreign destinations are competing for Russian tourists. Greece offers high quality service, a variety of different types of tourism and, which is the most importantly, safe leisure vacations. On our side, we expect to increase the attractiveness of Russia as a tourist destination for the Greek citizens. I am pretty sure that Russian -Greek cooperation has great prospects,” head of the Russian Federal Tourism Agency Oleg Safonov noted.
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
