Press releases
Minsk to host international caravan and camping festival 28 April-1 May
MINSK, 20 April (BelTA) – The international caravan and camping festival will take place in Minsk from 28 April to 1 May. The territory of Minsk Airport 1 has been chosen as its venue, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department of the Sports and Tourism Ministry Vitaly Gritsevich told a press conference hosted by BelTA on 20 April.
“The caravanning movement is gaining popularity in Europe. It requires little investment in this tourism sector and means huge benefits for the country,” he said. Participation in the motor run has been confirmed by 550 motorhomes: about 1,200 caravaneers from 16 countries. The biggest interest in the event has been spotted from motoring tourists from Germany, Finland, Poland, Russia, Moldova, Latvia, and Estonia.
According to Vitaly Gritsevich, the event is organized both for the participants and the residents and guests of the city. Therefore, a decision was taken to hold the festival in the capital. The site near Minsk Airport 1 has necessary infrastructure.
The festival will officially kick off on 29 April and will be open for Minsk residents and guests on 30 April.
Caravaneers will be treated to an extensive entertaining program that will include the performance of Belarusian artists and a zone of tourist facilities. The zone will feature dishes of the Belarusian national cuisine, phytoteas, hay weaving, pottery, and blacksmithing master classes.
The event will also feature an exhibition show of paratroopers, amusement rides for children, lasertag, darts, a crossbow shooting gallery, an exposition of four-wheelers and vintage cars, horse rides and a helicopter deck.
Vitaly Gritsevich emphasized a strong interest from foreign caravaneers. In 2014 the event was visited by representatives of three countries. Caravaneers from five countries took part in the event in 2015. The 2016 international caravan and camping festival on the shore of Lake Selyava in Krupki District, Minsk Oblast brought together more than 180 motorhomes: 505 caravaneers from 12 countries.
Visa-free entry for Minsk caravan and camping festival participants
MINSK, 20 April (BelTA) – Participants of the international caravan and camping festival in Minsk will get a 20-day visa-free entry to the country, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department of the Sports and Tourism Ministry Vitaly Gritsevich told a press conference hosted by BelTA on 20 April.
“The head of state supported the initiative of the Sports and Tourism Ministry to exempt the participants of the international caravanning motor run from consular fees for the period of 26 April to 15 May 2017 with a view to visiting the country and getting familiar with its culture and everyday life,” said the representative of the Sports and Tourism Ministry.
Last year the participants of the international caravan and camping festival in Belarus received free visas as well, but only for the time of the event. This year a decision was taken to provide the participants of the festival with an opportunity to study the country’s landmarks. Caravaneers will be able to order an excursion around Belarus or visit its landmarks independently.
According to Vitaly Gritsevich, there are 40 campsites in Belarus. The country’s fuel stations play a big role in this work by building campsites for caravaneers.
“A lot of preparatory work has been already done. I would like to thank all the government bodies that took part in the preparations for the festival. Everyone understands the importance of the event that promotes tourism in the country,” Vitaly Gritsevich said.
The international caravan and camping festival will be held near Minsk Airport 1 from 28 April to 1 May. Participation in the motor run has been confirmed by 550 motorhomes: about 1,200 caravaneers from 16 countries. The biggest interest in the event has been spotted from motoring tourists from Germany, Finland, Poland, Russia, Moldova, Latvia, and Estonia. Among the organizers of the event are the Sports and Tourism Ministry, Minsk City Hall and the Camping Union of Belarus.
Caravanning is a type of tourism. Caravanners travel in motorhomes and stay in camping sites. The government program Hospitable Belarus for 2016-2020 names caravanning as one of the priority forms of tourism, taking into account the country's transit opportunities.
print version
make home page
add to bookmarks
