A FERRY service between Bodrum and the Greek island of Samos will be launched in the first week of May.

Ferry services between Bodrum and the Greek islands of Kalymnos, Kos and Rhodes operate throughout the year, transporting some 350,000 tourists to Turkish cities and nearby Greek islands, Mahmut Kocadon, Bodrum Trade Chamber chairman, said.

Lack of organization, however, has resulted in great financial loss, he said.

“Through tourism packages that we have prepared with the Samos Trade Chamber and Turkish and Greek tourism agencies we will get a share of the tourism cake in the Aegean,” he said.

“Tourists visiting the Greek islands will be able to enjoy a longer holiday in Bodrum. Thanks to the friendship between both countries, at least 600,000 tourists will be able to travel between Bodrum and neighboring islands,” Kocadon added.

He said preparations began during his talks with the Greek consul general in ?zmir, Hara Skolari, to ease visa restrictions for Turks travelling to the Greek islands.

“Each year 85,000 people travel to the Greek islands from Bodrum, whereas 270,000 Greeks visit Bodrum. We work hard to provide a 48-hour-valid visa that was previously valid for 24 hours.”

Kocadon said the slogan “Visit the islands and cities of gods – become immortal” has been used in brochures prepared by Turkish and Greek companies.

Bülent Güven, Bodrum Ekspres Feribot A.?. executive board member, said the boat ride from Bodrum’s Yal?kavak district to Samos will last approximately 75 minutes and cost 35 euros. “Our main goal is to carry at least 50,000 passengers by 2009,” Güven said.