The decisions by Greece to expedite travel visas for Russian nationals is a positive step in the outbound Russian tourism industry, according to Russian media reports. Covering statements by Oleg Savonov, head of the Russian federal tourism services, news agency Rusnovosti reports that Greece is ready to issue visas for Russians within 48 hours, while other news agencies like Tass, Kommersant and Vzglyad.ru offered extensive coverage of the new visa status for Russians to Greece and the impact on the tourism industry. Savonov said that Greece plans to increase its consulate staff in Russia to deal with the increased demand of Russian citizens to visit Greece, adding that the Russian Federal tourism services are in talks with western countries to cut the expenses for the issue of visas. He stressed that currently Bulgaria offers the most concessions regarding visa procedures, as they are less expensive and provide free visas for children under 6 and are considering a reduction in visa costs for senior citizens. Rusnovosti reports that the increase of staff in the Greek consulate in Russia would boost the number of Russians visiting Greece, a development confirmed by the Hellenic tourism Organisation (EOT) in Russia, according to the agency. The vice-President of the Russian Association of Travel Agencies, Dmitry Gorin said the most popular destinations of Russians in the current season are Greece, Bulgaria and Cyprus citing a rise in summer tour package bookings in February by 20-30 percent compared to last year.