Tourists from Turkey will soon be able to visit Greece without being issued a visa from Greek consulates, following a decision by the Citizen Protection Ministry to allow visa issuance at ports, announced on May 22.

A pilot programme will soon be in effect, concerning access to the eastern Aegean islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos (see photo below), Rhodes and Kos.

The new regime, combined with the visa waiver for Turkish nationals members of associations, sports clubs and young people under the age of 18 is expected to boost the number of visitors from the neighbouring country to the islands.

Meanwhile, a new ferry route linking Seferihisar, on the Turkish coast, and Carlovassi on the island of Samos will operate as of this summer.