Controversy has arisen within the European Union over the issue of issuing visas to Russian tourists. According to the Greek Pronews, five states – Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and Hungary – have rejected an initiative that would have restricted the entry of Russian citizens into the EU.
These countries are confident that such a step will not only deal a significant blow to tourism but also harm local communities. Statistics show that Russian tourists spend an average of 1,300 euros, almost twice as much as others.
In addition, as noted in the publication, visa restrictions could harm the Russian community in Greece and prompt countermeasures by Moscow against the Greeks, which would further impact exports.
