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Italy seeks to increase flow of Russian tourists in Bilateral Year of Tourism

One million of Russian tourists visited Italy last year — embassy counsellor

Boat sails in the Trieste harbor EPA/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

Boat sails in the Trieste harbor

© EPA/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

VLADIMIR, March 21./ITAR-TASS/. Italy seeks to increase the flow of Russian tourists in the course of the Russia-Italy Bilateral Year of Tourism.

“We continue to issue Italian visas to Russian citizens. Moreover, during the Bilateral Year of Tourism our priority is to see more Russians in Italy,” said Leonardo Bencini, head of the Trade-Economic Department of the Italian Embassy in Russia.

“It is rather easy to get our visa: it can be issued within 48 hours. Very often we give Russians multiple-entry visas,” Bencini told Itar-Tass.

In 2013 one million of Russian tourists visited Italy, the embassy’s counsellor said, adding that Italy hoped to accept more tourists from Russia this year.

The Russia-Italy Bilateral Year started in September 2013. The events, which are planning to be held, are aimed at facilitating the growth of mutual tourist flows. Italy sets the task to offer Russian-language tours portals and expand hotel chains for Russian guests.

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