Russian Tourism Chief Safonov: 1 million tourists from Russia to visit Greece this year

The number of Russian tourists in Greece this year may reach 1 million, according to Russian Tourism Federal Agency head Oleg Safonov, who adressed the Greek-Russian travel forum at Grand Resort Lagonissi hotel in Athens on Tuesday.
Safonov was keynote speaker at the forum titled “Russia and Greece: Reality and Prospects for Cooperation in the Tourism Sector”, which included B2B meetings aimed at securing business deals and partnerships between Greek and Russian tourism enterprises.
The forum was organized by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and Russia’s Federal Agency for Tourism Rostourism aiming to establish a strong connection between the two countries in order to increase mutual tourist flow.
The theme of the forum was “Russia and Greece: reality and prospects for cooperation in the tourism sector” and welcome speeches were given by Economy, Development & Tourism Minister Giorgos Stathakis, Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura and the head of Rostourism, Oleg Safonov.
The event was attended by more than 100 government representatives, regional tourism figures, leading tour operators and journalists from both countries.
Greece leading the Russian market throughout May
During his speech, Mr. Safonov noted that Greece was leading the Russian market all throughout May and recalled that in 2013 this country attracted the maximum number of Russian tourists with 1.2 million arrivals, to be followed by a downward trend during 2014-2015.
It seems, however, that this year there will be a significant recovery and he is convinced that "the number of Russian visitors may reach 1 million."
The head of the Russian Tourism Federal Agency also referred to long-term bonds of Greece and Russia in the fields of religion and history verifying that ''Russians love Greece and they like to travel here. They like the beaches and the sunny climate, but there is room for expansion of their travel choices to other less known destinations within the country."
Mr. Safonov concluded by announcing that there will be held more than 50 joint events in the context of the Hellenic-Russian Friendship Year 2016.
Greece expects sharp increase in Russian tourists, minister says
It seems, therefore, that Greece will possibly be the "champion" that will take advantage of the Russian tourists' refusal to visit Turkey and Egypt this summer.
Russia’s tourism officials have said that Turkey and Egypt will not be destinations for its citizens for the rest of 2016 following the downing of a Russian military aircraft last year and concerns over safety.
The arrivals of Russian tourists are expected to increase by 20-70 percent this year, Alternate Foreign Minister Nikos Xydakis said in an interview with ANA-MPA's radio "Praktorio 104.9 FM" on Wednesday.
Xydakis said that despite the high demand for tourist visas in Russia, the Greek Consulate services are responding adequately and reassured that at the end of next month the number of Greek employees working for the Greek Consulate's visa services will increase to 100.
Greece must triple visa issuing capacity to attract Russian tourists
Nevertheless, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Andreas Andreadis had earlier warned that if Greece does not reach the target of issuing 7,000 visas on a daily basis to Russians, then it will fail to see enhanced arrival numbers from that market.
According to him, the goal of issuing 7,000 visas a day for Russians must be attained by the end of the month, or else the prospect of increased arrivals from Russia will be lost which will result to a huge loss of revenue for the tourism industry and the Greek economy.
“The Foreign Ministry, by Deputy Minister Nikos Xydakis, has assured that the procedure will normalize and the target of issuing 7,000 visas a day will rise from the current 2,000 by the end of May”, Mr. Andreadis underlined.
According to recent press reports, Russians are attracted to Greece’s natural beauty, its religious tourism options and entertainment. Yet, the intense and prolonged problems with issuing visas have caused Russian citizens to have a bad impression in regards to the process.
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
15/05 17:48
“The Crete Trip 2025” | Crete welcomed 800 students from 50 countries
15/05 14:52
View of Rhodes by the famous Swiss Instagrammer and YouTuber Loris Zimmerli
15/05 13:57
FedHATTA: Opening a new tourist "horizon" in Namibia - Meeting with diplomatic representatives
15/05 13:50
Mastercard | Travel Trends 2025 - Focus on “Purpose-Driven Journeys”
15/05 13:05
Hotel Investment Boom in Europe | Record Luxury Brands and Conversions
15/05 11:15
The digital transformation of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) begins
15/05 11:10
Price now determines destination choice – A concern for Spanish hotels
15/05 10:42
15/05 08:28
15/05 08:24
15/05 07:35
Fraport: Which destinations “broke the meters” in April – “Low flights” to Santorini
15/05 07:35
Destination Management and Promotion Organization in Nisyros
15/05 06:38
Summer of sports in Trikala: Athletics, cycling, and new generations in action
15/05 06:20
British Tourism 2025 | All-inclusives boom, last-minute bookings a trend
15/05 01:23
United Airlines | Premium Experiences on the New Boeing 787-9
14/05 15:11
14/05 13:16
St. Arnaoutakis: “The new generation highlights Cretan gastronomy”
14/05 12:34
Christos Dimas: Progress of construction of the Patras – Pyrgos motorway at 77%
14/05 12:29
14/05 12:24
Princess Cruises | 14-day 2026 Mediterranean Solar Eclipse Cruise (and Corfu)
14/05 11:45
14/05 10:57
The new Airbnb was introduced | 3 innovations that change the travel hospitality model
14/05 09:47
14/05 07:49
14/05 06:53
14/05 06:30
Alltours strengthens its presence in Greece: New hotels, investments and dynamic demand from Germany
14/05 01:50
10% more trips from the US to Europe this summer | Allianz Partners
13/05 19:49
13/05 18:59
13/05 17:15
Olga Kefalogianni at Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry
13/05 17:05
Municipality of Rhodes: Awards to an Indian philanthropist and a couple of Dutch tourists
13/05 12:20
13/05 11:42
Wyndham - Le Park Concord Agreement | 100 Super 8 Hotels in Saudi Arabia
13/05 11:38
Pieria: “Olympus Riviera Ambassadors” Award to German Tourists
13/05 11:34
Crete: 13 new water supply projects in municipalities on the island
13/05 11:29
Preveza to join the European Association of Historic Spa Towns
13/05 11:25
GNTO: Promotion of Greece in Sweden as a destination for silver tourism
13/05 08:47
13/05 07:54
12/05 23:16
"KIMOLOS, like you, Unique, Authentic, Real" - the message to visitors
12/05 21:13
12/05 19:07
The Athens Epidaurus Festival returns to Lycabettus with 4 concerts
12/05 18:37
Air France, KLM, and Delta Air Lines organize the 3rd Marine Day in Athens
12/05 18:22
Corfu | Honorary event at Mon Repos for the birthday of King Charles
12/05 18:20
NBA Basketball School kicks off at Costa Navarino with Isaiah Thomas
12/05 14:44
12/05 14:41
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini reopens for the 2025 season
12/05 13:47
The Swedish Olympic Team at Giannoulis Cavo Spada Luxury Resort & Spa
12/05 11:51
Survey | Timeliness does not limit Germans’ willingness to travel
12/05 07:59
12/05 07:55
12/05 06:35
11/05 12:16
11/05 07:25
Zygaktis Trail: Mountain races in Kefalari, Drama, with a backdrop of myth and nature
11/05 07:20
10/05 12:45
M. Vamiedakis: Value for money will determine the success of destinations and businesses in 2025
10/05 08:32
Expedia Trip Matching | Social media inspiration now bookable instantly
10/05 08:28
International Conference focusing on the Apostle Paul in Corinth
10/05 07:38
Norse Atlantic invests in Athens – Brings 49,000 seats from Los Angeles and JFK
09/05 21:44
Motorhome Tourism | Green Smoke from the Ministry of Tourism for Camper Stops
09/05 21:23
Destination Management and Promotion Organization in the Peloponnese
09/05 21:19
Motorhome Tourism | Green Smoke from the Ministry of Tourism for Camper Stops
09/05 21:03
09/05 20:31
Historic day for Northern Road Axis of Crete: Contract signed for Chania – Heraklion section
09/05 13:36
GNTO at Travel Expo Cyprus 2025 | Increasing travel flow from Cyprus to Greece
09/05 11:43
Targeted actions for the tourism promotion of the Peloponnese
09/05 11:39
09/05 11:00
The wait is over – Navarino Challenge 2025 schedule is revealed
09/05 08:53
09/05 08:46
09/05 07:58
Friendship Pact of the Municipality of Elliniko-Argyroupoli with Cities in Egypt
09/05 07:57
Historical, Tourist, and Cultural Documentary on Ancient Olympia
09/05 07:00
08/05 17:08
Greek Tourism Minister meets with Mozambique’s Deputy Minister of Tourism
08/05 16:04
08/05 15:57
Greek Tourism 2024 | The final performance in revenues, arrivals, cruises, and regions
08/05 14:13
Promoting the sustainable development of cruising in Mykonos
08/05 13:32
HCH | The Panhellenic Student Competition “I Paint Hospitality” is underway
08/05 13:28
08/05 11:44
Under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization, sports events in May
08/05 09:50
08/05 07:54
08/05 07:09
ThermopylaeForum 2025: Strategic Dialogue for the Greece of Tomorrow
08/05 06:57
Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2025: Cruise industry seeks new destinations
07/05 20:50
07/05 19:58
The way has been opened for the VORIA project in Maroussi, with a casino, hotel, and entertainment
07/05 15:53
The winners of the 9th Youth Innovation Competition, Idea Platform
07/05 13:05
07/05 12:16
Anna Karamanli | Crete is steadily strengthening its position on the cruise map
07/05 12:13
Ioannis Afoukatoudis: Greek in the leadership team of the Austrian tour operator Rhomberg Reisen
07/05 08:43
The communication promotion program of the Municipality of Rethymno
07/05 08:28
Crete celebrates its cultural heritage with two major events in May
07/05 08:09
07/05 07:49
8th Ioannina Half Marathon: A two-day celebration of sports, participation, and social contribution
07/05 07:31
06/05 23:11
Municipality of Sfakion | Request for the creation of a "Mountain Guide" department
06/05 20:31
06/05 18:41
Samaria Gorge: Over 1,200 visitors on the first day of its reopening
06/05 18:00
7 years of “Tourism Partnership for Chania”: Positive review with an eye on the future
06/05 16:46
Region of Crete: Meeting with tourism stakeholders in the presence of Mr. Tzitzikostas
The digital transformation of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) begins
“The Crete Trip 2025” | Crete welcomed 800 students from 50 countries
FedHATTA: Opening a new tourist "horizon" in Namibia - Meeting with diplomatic representatives
Hotel Investment Boom in Europe | Record Luxury Brands and Conversions
Mastercard | Travel Trends 2025 - Focus on “Purpose-Driven Journeys”
View of Rhodes by the famous Swiss Instagrammer and YouTuber Loris Zimmerli
Price now determines destination choice – A concern for Spanish hotels
Destination Management and Promotion Organization in Nisyros
Summer of sports in Trikala: Athletics, cycling, and new generations in action
Fraport: Which destinations “broke the meters” in April – “Low flights” to Santorini
British Tourism 2025 | All-inclusives boom, last-minute bookings a trend
Nations Cup Beach Volleyball is coming to TUI Magic Life Candia Maris on May 16-18
DERTOUR | Strong demand for Greece during 2025: The top destinations
United Airlines | Premium Experiences on the New Boeing 787-9
Paros | Increase in tourism revenue in 2024- optimism for better performance in 2025
Chania: The Alternative Tourism Festival returns to the Venetian Port
St. Arnaoutakis: “The new generation highlights Cretan gastronomy”