Embassy of Italy in Russia launches a web site to apply online for a visa

Rome is interested in more cooperation with Russia in the tourism sector. Italy launched a Russian web page about tourism to Italy, as the Italian Embassy in the Russian Federation reported to Interfax.

"Tourism is an important tool for the development of relations between our countries, which is why web site latuaitalia.it" was created, the Italian embassy said.

The embassy said that the project was the result of a successful Italian-Russian cross-Tourism Year held in 2012-2013, which allowed to increase the flow of Russian tourists in Italy.

"The purpose of the project is to provide Russian customers with innovative information portal, which would introduce them the major cultural events, tourist routes and cities of Italy, as well as practical tools, including the online application for a visa, while for Moscow, it is possible to pay the visa fee online," the embassy emphasized.

In addition, the web site contains information on opportunities for budget traveling in Italy like maps of discounts and free applications, as well as a special section about the World Exhibition "Expo-2015", which opens on May 1 in Milan.

During the presentation of the Italian Ambassador in Russia Cesare Maria Ragalini, referring to the topic of "Expo-2015", he said that his country "does not care about the quantitative but, above all, the quality of the organization of the upcoming exhibition".

During the presentation, the ambassador noted that in recent years the number of Russian tourists in Italy increased more than three times, from 460 thousand people in 2009 to 1.3 million in 2014, although earlier this year the demand for a visa to Italy fell .

"However, we must keep in mind what a large number of long-term multiple-entry visas has been issued, which are still operating," Ch.M.Ragalin said.