Russian tour operators seek reduction in visa fees
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ALAPPUZHA: Kerala Tourism will ensure the availability of ‘Russian -speaking guides’ for the benefit of Russian tourists. The decision follows a meeting held in Russia when the Russian backpackers expressed concerns over the lack of such guides.
The department would maintain a special online facility giving the details of all ‘Russian guides’ in the state. It had campaigned aggressively at OTDYKH Leisure, a leading international trade fair for travel and tourism, held in Moscow last week.
According to Mr P.I. Sheikh Pareeth, director, Kerala Tourism, a list of Russian guides would be published on the Russian language version website. There are at least 59 official guides in the state.
The Russian tour operators had also sought reduction in the visa fees and the airport fee on chartered flights from Russia. These would be taken up with the authorities concerned.
However, no chartered flights from Russia had come to the state last year though in 2013, there were 17.
Tomi Pulickattil, a houseboat owner here, points out that quality tourist guides were not available now.
There were five chartered companies bringing in European tourists till 2009. But they have currently diverted their services to lucrative destinations like Goa.
Kerala’s aggressive campaigns could revive the Russian chartered flights, he says. According to the department data, the total number of Russians who visited the state last year was 35,010, up from 32,000 in 2013.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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