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Lesvos is among the islands favored by Turkish tourists. Credit: wikimedia commons / Mike Peel CC BY 4.0Greece has decided to widen its fast-track visa strategy for Turkish travelers visiting prime Aegean islands for the 2nd clip amid beardown request and rising tourer numbers.
The Greek Foreign Ministry announced that the program, developed successful coordination with the European Commission, volition proceed to connection simplified visa entree for Turkish nationals and their families for different year.
The strategy applies to 12 islands successful the Aegean Sea: Kos, Lesvos, Rhodes, Samos, Chios, Leros, Limnos, Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, Symi, Patmos and Samothrace.
Greece primitively launched the programme successful April 2024 pursuing an statement signed successful December 2023, initially covering a fewer locations earlier expanding the programme archetypal to 10 and past to 12 Aegean islands. The strategy was initially extended for 1 twelvemonth successful March past year pursuing its palmy debut.
Authorities accidental the determination reflects its popularity among Turkish travelers and its affirmative interaction connected determination tourism.
According to Turkey’s Transport and Infrastructure Ministry, a full of 1.1 cardinal passengers traveled from Turkey to the Greek islands past year. Much of this postulation was driven by the simplified visa-on-arrival process, with the astir fashionable destinations including Kos, Chios, Rhodes and Lesvos.
The fast-track visa allows Turkish tourists to sojourn the designated islands without obtaining a afloat Schengen visa, though entree remains constricted to the islands covered nether the strategy alternatively than the full Schengen area.
Related: Greek Island of Samos Welcomes First Turkish Visitors arsenic Seasonal Ferry Services Begin
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