In the first nine months of 2012 Greece has issued more visas than during the entire 2011

The number of Greek visas issued in Russia during the past nine months of this year has reached 538 thousand, which is 15 % more compared to the previous year. In 2011 Greek Consulates in Russia issued 470 thousand visas. Thus, according to the General Consul of Greece Mr. Ioannis Plotas, the Dodecanese Islands visa experiment proved to be successful.

Let us remind you that since July 7, 2012 the Russians who have arrived for holidays in Turkey can obtain a 15-day Schengen visa upon arrival to five Greek islands; Rhodes, Plaits, Samos, Chios and Lesbos. As RATA-news have already reported, this experiment is more than likely to be continued into the next season.

At the same time, experts have noted that the number of trips that Russians have made to Greece has considerably exceeded the number of issued visas. So for example, 470 thousand visas were issued in 2011, but the number tourist arrivals from Russia added up to 650 thousand. It is closely connected with the fact that the Consulates of Greece give out more and more multivisas. The Russian tourists take advantage of them more actively now, making last-minute decisions to go on a trip to Greece. Thus, reports a portal «Greece from Greek.ru», Russians spend their holidays in Greece 2-3 times a year.