Opinions & Interviews

BREST, 27 December (BelTA) – Ten-day visa-free travel will bring tourism business to a new level and will develop farm tourist estates, resorts, and food facilities, Deputy Brest Oblast Governor Oleg Velichko told BelTA when commenting on Decree No.462 on the introduction of visa-free entry and departure for foreign citizens.

“Much depends on how we will attract foreign tourists. We need to work on many kinds of services and their quality. Health facilities have a great potential, in particular. I believe that the number of foreigners coming to our region for dental services can increase,” Oleg Velichko noted.

In his opinion, the extension of visa-free stay program in Belarus’ regions will primarily interest tourists from Western Europe. “This especially applies to Polish citizens. Belarusian and Polish have strong historical ties. I believe that our neighbors will be visiting us more often after the decree is adopted,” the official remarked.

Thus, the document will boost the economic growth of border regions where the visa-free program will be launched. “We expect small and medium-sized businesses to develop more actively. Joint ventures will be set up, which will generate new jobs,” the deputy governor summarized.

The new regulations will be adopted in Brest, Brest District, Zhabinki District, Kamenets District, Pruzhany District, and Svisloch District. To visit the Augustow Canal or the Brest tourism and recreation zone, foreign visitors shall carry a valid travel document and a document granting a right to visit the relevant territory to a group or individual. The regulations will cover citizens of 77 countries. The decree shall come into force on 1 January 2018.