11/08/2019 16:38

Results of New Rules for Visa Applications Adopted by The Austrian Consulate

[IMG=18913-4581] Neither Russian tour operating companies nor Austrian consular services are prepared for new visa application rules (news 24/01). As a result of new rules adoption, there are queues in Austrian consulate. Besides, a number of visa rejections for tourists has increased. Experts explain it by non-observance of all the adopted rules by the Austrian party, in particular quota issues. Therefore operators prefer not to risk and try to reorientate tourist traffic to other destinations. ‘Operators that work with Austria carry great risks at the moment. We, for example, advice our agents to orientate tourists to other countries’, stated the Head of Austrian Department of Erzog tour operating company, Alexander Shirokov. According to him, by January 25th there were seven visa rejections, which were explained by Austrian consulate by lack of confirmations from hotels. As a result, the tour operator had to send the tourists to Bulgaria at its own expenses. In order to minimize losses, tour operators take measures to reduce the flight volume. Thus, Erzog exchanged Il-96 by a smaller B-767. Furthermore, in some cases companies, for example, Acent Travel, recommended their tourists to have trip cancellation and interruption insurance. ‘This measure is aimed at guarantee of clients’ money refund in case of visa rejection’, explained Boris Burikin, General Director of Acent Travel. According to Olga Aksenova, General Director Deputy of Austrian in-country company Melour, ‘the majority of contracts of Russian tour operators and Austria are based on allotments. Therefore, travel market players can maneuver. However, experts interviewed by a BANKO correspondent, opine that the situation is temporary and all uncertainties regarding the new rules for visa applications adopted by the Austrian consulate will be eliminated after a few weeks.