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General Tourism News Visas Once again Visas have been in the news recently with some positive indications and yet more difficulties for some Countries. Thailand announced in December that it will stop giving Visas on arrival to visitors from 82 countries including Russia. Last year more than 32,000 visitors from Russia entered Thailand and this has always been a popular destination. Russian Tour Companies were working hard to adept to these changes to avoid any problems with Visas for the many Christmas and New Year visitors. Italy also introduced new regulations for the issuing of Visas to Russian clients in December sending shock waves through the industry. Signs of co-operation were given when a reprieve was given on some of the new conditions for 3 months enabling Russian companies to process all visa applications for Christmas & New Year. On a positive note, Russia is to introduce a special 3-day 'on-arrival' visa commencing on February 1st . There has been a great deal of speculation on this special visa and the Russian in-coming trade was pleased with the news of the commencement date. Most details are still to be finalised but applicants can order these 3-day visas through selected Russian Travel Companies in advance and receive their visas on arrival at one of the 6 designated arrival points. Russian hotels and Travel Companies have welcomed the news as it will also enable Short Stay City Break tourism to become firmly established. Currently theses special procedures are only available to citizens of the Schengen Agreement Countries, Britain, Switzerland and Japan. Russian visitors to Sri Lanka increase The Sri Lanka Tourist Board was able to announce a continuing of the steady increase of clients from Russia with 3,552 arrivals in the year 2000 representing and increase of 12% on the previous year. Russian Outbound Tourism increases Figures released by the Russia Journal confirm that 4.48 million Russian citizens travelled Internationally in 2000. Top destinations in order were Poland, China, Turkey, Finland, Spain, Estonia, Egypt, Germany, Cyprus and Italy. Increase in Travel Spending According to a RIA opinion poll Russians are spending more money today on travel abroad. The report indicates that Russians are spending $.26 billion dollars on travel and that $.25 billion dollars is being spent abroad. Growth is also being recorded in many other sectors including Home Ownership, Automobiles and non-essential purchases.  |
