Greece is introducing new visas for visiting 10 islands: the procedure for document processing has been simplified
Greece has recently made it much easier for Turkish tourists to visit 10 of its islands by introducing an expedited visa procedure. This new mechanism, which allows for one-day visas on the spot, is a strategic move aimed at boosting tourism, especially in light of the declining number of Israeli tourists.
Greek entrepreneurs are optimistic that this initiative will compensate for the deficit and revitalize the local economy. The groundwork for such a visa policy was laid after talks between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in December last year, as reported by travelandtourworld.com.
The simplified visa process is designed to facilitate quick and hassle-free visits by Turkish tourists to individual islands, increasing the attractiveness of Greece as a tourist destination.
The visa, which is valid for one week, provides access to such islands as Kalymnos, Limnos, Leros, Kos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes, Skiathos, and Kastelorizo. These islands, which are in close proximity to Turkey, have long been a favorite vacation spot for Turkish tourists, despite the historical tensions between the two countries.
The mayor of the island of Simi, Lefteris Papakalodukas, praised the visa initiative, emphasizing its potential to strengthen cultural and tourist ties between Greece and Turkey. He noted that Simi, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of Turkish tourists, especially those arriving by yacht.
Prior to the introduction of this fast-track visa system, Turkish tourists faced a cumbersome visa application procedure at the Greek consulate in Izmir. The new system simplifies entry, which is of great interest to thousands of potential visitors.
Giannis Papavasileiou, President of the Hotel Owners Association, expressed confidence that the influx of Turkish tourists will provide a much-needed boost to the island's economy, which has suffered from a decline in the number of visitors from Israel.
Local communities are eagerly awaiting the introduction of the visa regime and hope that it will take effect next summer. They are ready to welcome the increase in Turkish tourists, seeing it as a vital opportunity to revive tourism and promote closer ties between Greece and Turkey.
This initiative is expected to have a significant impact on air tourism, contributing to an increase in travel from Turkey to the Greek islands. By simplifying the visa process, Greece aims to attract more tourists, potentially leading to a surge in airline bookings and tourist activity on the islands. From the introduction of the expedited visa procedure to its expected impact on the local economy, the entire narrative emphasizes the significant potential for air tourism between Turkey and Greece.
Earlier, Travel Wise talked about luxury hotels in Greece for families and their features.