More Russian tourists after visa lift

The number of Russian tourists visiting Turkey increased after visa was lifted between the two countries in 2011. According to figures of TurkStat and Culture Ministry, Turkey hosted 6.8 million Russian tourists since the visa procedures were lifted in April 2011. In 2010, before visa was lifted, Turkey hosted 3.1 million Russian tourists, while this figure rose to 3.5 million in 2012. Visa-free passages increased the number of Russian tourists visiting Turkey nearly 500,000 annually. Turkey expects to host over 4 million Russian tourists in 2013. Meanwhile, the number of flights of Turkish Airlines (THY) to Russia also increased. THY holds 62 flights to eight cities in Russia every week.