A working meeting of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism and Resorts Development Committee with participation of the city's tour agencies and hotels representatives participating in experimental introduction of a 72-hour valid visas to foreign tourists since September, 1, 2001 was held in Saint Petersburg. Questions concerning a simplified visa mode introduction were discussed. As Oleg Daftjan, the deputy representative of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Saint Petersburg noted, there is an active preparation of a consular point at the "Pulkovo-2" airport for receiving the first tourists. Since September, 1 the consular point will work round the clock, with the expanded service zone and with more employees who are mastering a special computer system of visas registration. Consular dues will be collected in the preliminary order, 2-3 days prior to arrival of the visitor, and it is supposed, this service is supposed to be undertaken by tour agencies. As Oleg Daftjan said, since September, 1 72-hour visas will be given out only in "Pulkovo-2", check points Torfianovka and Brusnichnoye at the Russian - Finnish border will not be involved for a while. In time experiment can include check points in Sviatogorsk and at the Estonian border. As for the foreign tourists stream forecast, judging by reaction of the Western tour operators working with the Russian market, the entrance stream will increased as the information on new service spreads. (travel.ru)

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