Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 July (BelTA) – The extension of visa-free access to Belarus will contribute to the development of the country’s tourism infrastructure, Chairman of the Council of the Belarusian Union of Tourism Industry Filipp Guly said in an interview to the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.

“The decree was a long hope. It opens wide opportunities for the country’s entire infrastructure,” said Filipp Guly. “It will ensure full capacity of hotels and other accommodation facilities, and will improve and expand the tourism infrastructure and roadside services along the main areas around Minsk,” he added. According to the expert, the length of stay will provide an opportunity to improve the quality of services. More attention will be paid to enhancing qualifications of workers in the sector.

On 24 July, the Belarusian president signed a decree to extend visa-free entry to Belarus to 30 days provided foreign nationals enter and leave the country via Minsk National Airport. The document updated the list of states whose citizens are entitled to the visa-free regime. It leaves out the countries with which Belarus has concluded bilateral agreements on mutual abolition of visas. The decree is intended to contribute to the further development of the Belarusian tourist industry, to promote Belarus’ spa and medical tourism, to stimulate the development of the national economy, to facilitate the inclusion of Belarus into the world economy, to strengthen its position as a convenient venue for international forums, conferences, festivals, sporting events.