'Number of Russian tourists to go up by 50% in Goa'

"The importance of Consulate is paramount since more than 1,00,000 Russian tourists visit Goa annually...The number of arrivals in Goa is expected to be increased to 1,50,000 Russians during the forthcoming season," Alexey Novikov, Consul General of Russian Federation in Mumbai said here.

Russians became the single largest community visiting Goa, beating the traditional visitors from UK who had topped the chart all this time.

"The rise in Russians arriving in Goa is because of the troubles in North Africa and Egypt, two of the favourite destinations of the Russian travellers," Novikov said.

Novikov along with his deputy Alexey Mzareulov were in Goa to pay courtesy visit to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

"We are very happy that the ties between India and Russia are strengthening through tourism. These are two big nations which have always stood with each other," the Consul General said.