“Visa on arrival for the Greek Islands postponed until April”
The visa on arrival officially started for the Greek Islands from March 1, but its implementation has been postponed until April. Tourism professionals and local holidaymakers are expecting the obstacles to be removed from the 12-month implementation.
The visa on arrival, which facilitates holidays in the Greek Islands, was expected to come into effect from March 1, but it didn’t happen as planned. Visa on arrival, eagerly awaited by domestic tourists wanting to holiday in the Greek Islands, has not been implemented yet.
Many obstacles between the Greek Consulate and agencies have not been overcome. According to information from tourism professionals, there is still no clarity on the price, date, or conditions for the implementation. Currently, agencies engaged in diplomacy with the consulate for a solution cannot find a counterpart.
MEETING WITH CONSULATE IN IZMIR
Amid this uncertainty, a meeting was held between the Turkey Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB) Izmir Regional Representation Council and the Greek Consulate in Izmir. According to a report on Duvar, during the meeting, it was requested that agencies be authorized and applications be initiated through them for the implementation of visa on arrival.
CONSULATE: PRICE AND CONDITIONS ARE UNCLEAR
Kıvanç Meriç, the President of TÜRSAB Izmir Regional Representation Council, along with representatives from the tourism sector, in a meeting with Greek Consulate officials, requested the elimination of uncertainties and the commencement of entries and exits. April was set as the estimated start date. Visa on arrival will be extended to 12 months on the islands.
The Greek Consulate, refuting details circulating online such as the 60 Euro visa fee entry from March 1, stated that these details and the start date of the implementation were yet to be clarified.
REASON FOR STEP BACK IS HIGH PRICE
The only authorized agency for procedures appointed by the consulate is Kosmos Travel. While Kosmos, acting as a visa agent on behalf of the consulate, receives applications, sub-agents have not been determined yet. Mehmet Gem, the President of the Association of Travel Agency Managers (SAYD), stated that the reason for the sole agency system was the high pricing policy applied to tourists traveling from Turkey to the Greek Islands by agencies. Gem said, “When agencies priced the visa on arrival program around 200-250 Euros, complaints started.
The consulate decided to individually accept applications from all holidaymakers. Meaning, during the visa application, it will be the holidaymaker, not the agent, who will enter the consulate. Everyone who applies will personally take their files and enter the consulate. The decision initially applied by the Greek Consulate in Izmir is expected to be applied as a precedent in Istanbul and Ankara as well.”
AWAITED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SEA
SAYD President Gem said that if visa on arrival is implemented, it will be welcomed on both sides of the sea. Gem said, “A tourist wanting a holiday in the Greek Islands will choose a region and stay for the number of days specified in the visa. Greek traders are demanding this because tourists spending more money come from Turkey. They want visa on arrival. On the Turkish side, holidaymakers want the decision to be implemented.
Because the best fish and appetizers can be eaten much cheaper than in Turkey. While in our holiday regions, one cannot leave without paying less than 6-7 thousand liras from a tavern, in the Greek Islands, around 120-130 Euros are paid. That’s why domestic tourists prefer the Greek Islands. If the problems with the Greek Consulate and visa obstacles are overcome, our domestic holidaymakers will have partial freedom of movement in the Greek Islands.”
