Hungary increases the number of visa centers in Russia

VFS Global has become Hungary’s new visa operator in Russia, according to its official announcement of August 23. In particular, one visa center will be opened in each 64 Russian cities, the first 40 of them will begin work by the end of August. The operator plans to issue annually 60 000 visas in Russia. 

Experts explain the innovation with the desire of the Hungarians to draw away Russian tourists from other countries of the Schengen zone. “But it’s important to understand how visa centers will work. The main thing, as it often happens, is not to restrict residents (of those regions where the centers will be opened) in file documents,” said Vladimir Larionov, the general director of the Larkos visa company. 

According to the head of the marketing, promotion and advertising department of the tour operator Vedi Group Olga Skobeleva, interest in Hungary is growing annually - since the beginning of 2019, tourist flow from Russia to this country has grown by almost 20%. “Excursion programs have become more popular. In addition, the geography of cities where you can fly to Hungary has expanded. From the end of October, Wizz Air begins a flight program to Budapest from Kazan. And this offer is already in great demand,” she explained. The expert also added that tourists are already buying up New Year tours to the country. 

In any case, with the appearance of new visa centers, the demand for Hungary will become even greater - according to statistics, tourists prefer trips to that country, a visa to which they can easily get in their city.