According to the Association of the Tour Operators of Russia (ATR), bookings to Greece are 4 to 5 times higher than last season. The data showed that bookings to Greece have started at an earlier stage compared to the past, with Russian tour agencies urging holidaymakers to book as early as possible for Greece and Cyprus in order to not miss out, as demand has reached high levels. Tourist agency Mouzenidis Travel, which presented the data on ATOR’s website, noted that there has been a 400% rise in early bookings from Russia to Greece for the upcoming summer season. The travel agency attributes the massive rise to marketing events it organised in the Russian tourist market aimed at promoting Greece as a holiday destination. Another agency, ICS Travel reached similar conclusions, stressing that early bookings for Greece had already started by the end of January and that the rise was five-fold, adding that a key factor was also the special discount packages offered by Greek hotel owners that were as much as 15%. KMP-Group also underlines that a wide range of offers made by Greek hotels, like free meals, free stays for children or free transport resulted in a larger number of bookings. Another factor that played a role in a rise in bookings, according to Russkii Express, was the fall of the Euro in comparison to the ruble. Mouzenidis Travel estimates that the increase in bookings was influenced by both internal and external factors. Meanwhile, according to Mouzenidis Travel an increasing number of Russian families are choosing to extend their vacations in Greece for over three weeks.