Easter Overload

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   On April 10th a BANKO correspondent found out the situation with visas in the popular travel destinations before the May Holidays. We remind you that every year tour operators are concerned about the increase of visa issuing period due to the growth of tourist flow. This year experts forecast difficulties to be provoked by early catholic Easter. Therefore, travel market players worry some consulates will not work for a week due to traditional seven-day Easter holidays in Europe. At the moment it is known that the German Embassy does not work on April 14th and 17th, the Embassy of France has a day off on 17th and the Italian Embassy does not work on April 17th and 25th.
    Nevertheless, tour operating companies hope that the Consulates will propose an alternative convenient for both parties. Thus, Galina Kovirshina, Expert of the Italian Department of DSBW, said: ‘I think they will simply prolong working hours’. However, in order to reduce risks travel agents encourage their clients to apply for visa during this week.
   Meanwhile, travel companies that specialize in the Greek destination are concerned about how the Consulate of the country will cope with the heavy increase in demand for all Greek regions, forecasting a boom by the end of April: ‘tourist flow to Greece from Russia will increase by 40%’, stated Irina Shishkina, the Head of the Greek Department of Voyage-Travel Club. According to unaccredited sources, the Greek Embassy set a ceiling at 1, 000 applications per day. However, experts forecast a peak load to be 5, 000 applications per day. ‘The problem will be finally solved, I believe. The Consulate might hire additional personnel to coupe with the increased flow of applications’, said Tomas Aidinidis, President of Golden Eagles.