Business news

MINSK, 17 December (BelTA) – The export of Belarus’ tourism services to China in January-October 2018 expanded by nearly 15% over the same period in 2017, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism at the Sport and Tourism Ministry of Belarus Vitaly Gritsevich said at a press conference on 17 December, BelTA has learned.

“The export of Belarus’ tourism services to China is on the rise. Over 10 months 2018 it was estimated at $4.73 million, a nearly 15% increase over the same period a year before. As a result, China became the third biggest importer of Belarus’ tourism services following Russia and Ukraine,” Vitaly Gritsevich said.

Tourist arrivals from China have increased, too: in January-October 2017 Belarus welcomed slightly more than 16,000 Chinese travelers. Their number approached 17,800 in the same period this year. “If we look at individual regions, we will see that Hong Kong along provided 100 times more tourists over this period. According to the State Border Committee, in January-October 2017 Belarus welcomed six travelers from Hong Kong, while in January-October 2018 their number rose to 617,” Vitaly Gritsevich informed.

Plans are in place to keep promoting tourism between Belarus and China. In particular, Belarus will take part in more travel expos and arrange promo tours for Chinese travel agencies and journalists in Belarus. Vitaly Gritsevich noted that new itineraries might be developed. In addition to the popular Minsk-Brest tour featuring the castles of Mir and Nesvizh, new itineraries might include visits to the Naliboki Pushcha and Neman Glassworks.