Press releases

MINSK, 25 October (BelTA) – Chinese and Arabs are interested in the recreation opportunities Belarusian sanatoriums offer, BelTA learned from Vitaly Gritsevich, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department of the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry, on 25 October.

The official said: “The Chinese and representatives of Arab countries demonstrate a live interest in Belarusian sanatoriums. Arabs are also interested in hunting tourism. But even the best sanatoriums lack English-speaking personnel. For now Belarusian sanatoriums and resorts are ‘tuned’ to welcome guests from Russia.”

The representative of the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry believes that it is necessary to diversify the market of therapeutic tourism because crisis phenomena on the Russian tourism market have put a damper on revenues of the Belarusian tourism market. “It is necessary to take into account that Russians are busy developing their own sanatoriums. This is why it is necessary to diversify. Otherwise, our resorts and sanatoriums will be half-empty,” believes Vitaly Gritsevich.

In his opinion, Belarusian sanatoriums have retained decent medical facilities, however, the interior design and amenities available in the rooms could use some improvement. “Nearly every Belarusian sanatorium has deluxe suites but those are few and far between for now. Chinese and Arab tourists tell us they don’t care about prices. This is why we should pay attention to this detail,” he added.

Svetlana Yeshchenko, Head of the Sales Department of the Belarusian state-run travel agency Tsentrkurort, confirmed that fewer Russians come to enjoy Belarusian sanatoriums now. Tourists from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan come to Belarus. Belarusians are also interested in sanatorium treatment. Not only elderly Belarusians buy these holiday packages.