In an effort to stem losses of holiday bookings by Russians to Cyprus of up to 25 percent after visa-free travel was bolished this year, Cypriot authorities voiced a plan this week to keep visas free of charge until the end of 2004 and possibly throughout 2005, the St. Petersburg Times reported. Cyprus, which joined the European Union in May this year, introduced a visa regime with Russia in January as a condition of EU membership. "Sixty percent of visas are issued on the day of application, with the rest produced within 24 hours," said Alexis Phedonos-Vadet, a consul at the Cypriot Embassy. According to the embassy in Russia, less than 1 percent of Russians are refused the visa.

Cyprus is a very popular destination. About 140,000 Russians make the trip to the sunny island each year. But, leading Russia tour operators point out, after the introduction of visas the flow of St. Petersburgers dropped by 20-25 percent. The tendency is even worse in other regions, where it is now near to impossible to get a last minute deal.