Press releases

GRODNO, 4 April (BelTA) – The Belarusian-Polish tourism forum to be hosted by the Augustow Canal in May 2016 will bring together representatives of some 80 travel companies, BelTA learned from head of sports and tourism department of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee Oleg Andreichik.

“The Augustow Canal is drawing more and more enthusiasts of active leisure including cycling, water tourism, and hiking. People in our neighboring countries also show interest in this unusual tourist destination. On 21 May, the Augustow Canal will host the Belarusian-Polish forum that will gather representatives of around 80 travel companies of the two countries that offer active leisure services,” Oleg Andreichik said. Representatives of relevant ministries and agencies will take part in the forum to discuss the issues that travel companies face when organizing tours in the Augustow Canal area. The guests will be invited to learn more about the tourism potential of the canal and get first-hand experience of the routes.

“We are working to make the canal and the surrounding area as accessible as possible. Efforts are made to improve the infrastructure for active leisure and build facilities that will host high-level sporting events,” Oleg Andreichik noted. Today the canal hosts orienteering competitions and water sports events that bring together Belarusian and foreign athletes. Plans have been made to build a course for whitewater slalom which is included in the Olympic program.

A roadmap for the development of the Augustow Canal was adopted some time ago. It provides for the organization of more than 80 events, from changing the status of the Lesnaya-Rudawka border crossing point and expanding the network of cycling tracks to holding all kinds of cultural events, festivals and sporting competitions. The opening of the museum of the Augustow Canal in early May 2016 will be one of them.