Russia and Cyprus to set up a working group on tourism

Cyprus and Russia agreed to set up a working group on tourism, in a bid to boost tourist flows between the two countries amid the global financial crisis.

The proposal for the establishment of a working group on tourism was tabled by Russian Minister of Tourism during a meeting with Cypriot Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides and Cyprus Tourist Organization (CTO) officials in Moscow on Saturday.

An official press release says that Russian Minister of Tourism referred to the efforts the two governments are exerting to achieve the best possible results in the field of tourism, given the difficulties arising from the global financial crisis. He also expressed satisfaction over the levels of services offered by Cyprus to Russian visitors.

Paschalides welcomed the proposal of his Russian counterpart, noting that the issue will be implemented immediately. He also referred to the simplification of the procedures governing the entry of Russian citizens in Cyprus, adding that Russian nationals can obtain visa within 24 hours.

Cypriot Minister and CTO officials are in Moscow to attend the 4th International Tourist Exhibition of Moscow entitle ''Intourmarket 2009'', in which Cyprus is the honoured country.

Russian Minister of Sport and Youth Policy Anatoly Yarotskin who along with Paschalides opened the exhibition, told CNA that despite Russia's efforts to develop internal tourism, ''thousands of Russian tourist will continue to visit countries with warm climate and hospitality and long history, which have common ties with Russia, such as Cyprus.''

Speaking to CNA Pachalides highlighted the importance of this exhibition.

''Indeed the times are difficult but we planed how to tackle the financial crisis and we see that so far our strategy bares fruit,'' the Cypriot Minister said, adding ''from the messages we receive we are cautiously optimistic.''