Press releases

GRODNO, 21 July (BelTA) – Grodno has welcomed the 40,000^th tourist who took advantage of the visa-waiver program, BelTA learned from deputy head of the sport and tourism department of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee Tatyana Lidyayeva.

Since the start of 2018, over 40,000 foreigners from more than 50 countries came to Grodno and the district without visas. The 40,000^th visitor was a 60-year old tourist from Vilnius. It was his first visit to Grodno. He came as part of a tourist group. He said he was impressed by the Grodno castles and the city center. The tourist was rewarded with souvenirs.

“The tourist flow into the region is on the rise. Last week alone, over 2,600 people took advantage of the visa-waiver program to visit Grodno and its suburbs. It is holiday time; therefore, people come not only on weekends, but also on weekdays. Even on Mondays and Tuesdays the city welcomes 300-350 visa-free tourists,” Tatyana Lidyayeva said. The export of tourist services keeps growing (it was up by 18% over the last year, which was also successful in terms of inbound tourism). The number of companies providing services to foreign tourists is increasing; infrastructure is being improved.

Most of the tourists visiting Grodno without visas are citizens of Lithuania and Poland. They usually come on a two-day trip. However, there are travelers who stay 10 days. Earlier the bulk of tourists came as part of tourist groups, but now half of those coming to Grodno without visas are individual travelers.

As it was reported, Decree No. 462 on the visa-free entry and departure of foreign nationals came into force on 1 January 2018. It has extended the duration of visa-free stay to ten days, expanded the area covered by the visa-waiver program, and increased the number of border checkpoints for visa-free entry. The visa-free zone near Grodno has been expanded to cover the entire Grodno District. Visa-free entry is available via road checkpoints and also checkpoints located at railway terminals and airports.