Acutally, for tourism, you don't need to have an invite from the local mafia. Hotels can sort out the letter you need. Though on second thought, they probably are run by the local mafia, so fair point

I agree it is a silly system. But then, there are still certain countries where getting a Visa is a right pain and then they ask you if you are a syphilitic Nazi on the arrivals form Oh, and you are photographed and finger printed like a common criminal.