Press releases

MINSK, 23 October (BelTA) – Minsk has already been visited by tourists from 68 coutnries thanks to Belarus’ new visa-free program, director of the information and tourist center Minsk Elena Plis said at a daily briefing at the Minsk City Hall on 23 October, BelTA has learned.

“As of 13 October, a total of 56,000 tourists from 68 countries took advantage of the visa-free entry to Belarus. The biggest numbers of tourists came from Germany, Poland, Italy, the United States and the UK. The passenger traffic at Minsk National Airport went up by 30% in comparison with the same period last year,” noted Elena Plis.

In January-August 2017 Minsk provided tourist services worth $69 million, up 34.1% from the same period a year ago. The Belarusian capital accounted for 53.6% of the country’s total exports of tourist services.

In 2017, Br53.200 was allocated on the tourism development program of the Belarusian capital. Information points for tourists were opened in the Upper Town and at the capital’s railway station. Work is underway to develop Minsk Guest Card. Cooperation is maintained with the Minsk Office of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The information tourist center has been visited by more than 1,000 tourists. Cooperation agreements will tourist organizations of Belgrade, Riga, Omsk, Yurmala, Sakahlin, Arkhangelsk, the Ukrainian Guide Association have been signed at different international exhibitions, fairs, seminars and presentations.

Over 30,000 copies of advertisement products in Russian and English have been produced since the start of the year. A new project, MICE in Minsk, provides information about the city as a business tourism center.

“The interest in Minsk, the lifestyle of Minskers, the national cuisine, traditions and sights has increased,” Elena Plis said.