Turks flock to Greek islands after vis-on-arrival process

The number of Turkish tourists who visited the said Greek islands increased by 20% compared to the same period last year, notes the Turkish Hurriyet Daily News. In the first 10 days of April, 3,800 Turkish travelers visited the Greek island of Lesvos, up from just 390 a year ago, while the number of Turks visiting Chios rose from 2,716 to 4,993.

Almost 6,000 Turkish holidaymakers traveled to Rhodes during Eid, up from 2,320 a year earlier. Samos and Kos welcomed 2,851 and 3,300 Turkish tourists, respectively.

At the beginning of April last year, approximately 5,969 Turks visited these five Greek islands.

High interest for the summer as well
Turkish tourists' interest in the Greek islands is likely to continue during the summer season, as well as during the upcoming Eid al-Adha holidays on April 23, said Engin Ceylan of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

Holidays in Turkey are more expensive due to inflation, while holidays in the Greek islands have become more affordable for Turks, according to Ceylan.

Turkish visitors spend twice as much as tourists who arrive on the island by charter flights, said Kostas Moutzouris, regional governor of North Aegean.