Panaji, Aug 10 - The inflow of Russian tourists to Goa is likely to go up by almost 50 per cent compared to last year's figure of one lakh arrivals, the Russian Consulate said today.

"The importance of Consulate is paramount since more than 1,00,000 Russian tourists visit Goa annually," Alexey Novikov, Consul General of Russian Federation in Mumbai told PTI.

He said the number of arrivals in Goa is expected to be increased to 1,50,000 Russians during the forthcoming season.

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 adding that the establishment of Islamic nations in Egypt will discourage the travel there for Russians, who are more liberal.

He said that the increasing number of tourist means high amount of investment and opportunities for the state.

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 had always stood with each other," the Consul General said. PTI