Press releases

MINSK, 6 April (BelTA) – Chinese and Vietnamese are interested in “red tourism” (sightseeing tours to places related to the history of communism) in Belarus, BelTA learned from Belarusian Sports and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko during the international tourism services fair Leisure 2016 on 6 April.

“Together with China we have worked out visa-free tours for groups. Flights between Belarus and China are available. Negotiations with Chinese and Vietnamese colleagues have been held. It is obvious that the demand for ‘red tourism’ is huge today,” noted the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Minister.

Alexander Shamko pointed out that Belarus is growing more and more prominent in the eyes of foreign tourists. There are all reasons to believe that more tourists will come to visit the country. It will contribute to the country’s promotion as a center of sport and business tourism among other things.

BelTA reported earlier that visa-free travels between Belarus and China will be allowed for organized tourist groups starting April-May. Apart from that, a presidential decree came into force in August 2015 to introduce visa-free entry, exit, and transit procedures for China citizens. Chinese citizens are also allowed to stay in Belarus without visas for up to 72 hours. The procedures are in effect for China citizens, who arrive by direct flights from China, if their passports contain valid visas of a European Union member state or a Schengen zone participating state.

Special tourist routes and guidebooks are being prepared for Chinese tourists in Belarus. Peculiarities of the Chinese tourism industry will be taken into account for the sake of organizing recreation for them.