Visas To Greece Issued In Russia On The Up

The number of visas issued to Russian tourists visiting Greece during the first eight months of the year increased by 56.81 percent, to 776,732 against 495,312 for the corresponding period in 2012, according to the Consulate General of Greece in Moscow.

In addition, in August 2013 alone, the total number of visas issued reached 176,560, an 40.59 percent increase compared to the same month the previous year.

According to the Greek Tourism Ministry, Russia is a dynamic and growing market for Greece.

Russians among biggest spending tourists

Among the world’s top ten source markets by expenditure, the Russian Federation saw an increase of 32 percent in 2012, to US$ 43 billion, bringing it from the 7th to 5th place in the ranking of international tourism spending, UNWTO data shows.

Greece attracts 4.51 percent of the country’s outbound tourism, according to data from 2012.

The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) and the Bank of Greece recently released the following data on Russian arrivals to Greece in 2012:

• Total number of arrivals in Greece: 874,786 tourists
• Average length of stay per trip in Greece: 10.9 days
• Average tourist spending per person in Greece: 1,079 euros
• Indicative cost of a package 5-day stay in Greece: 1,300 euros