GRODNO, 27 October (BelTA) – The visa-free travel opens up great prospects for Grodno Oblast, Chairman of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee Vladimir Kravtsov said as he welcomed the first visa-free tourists from Poland in the tourism and recreation park Augustow Canal on 26 October, BelTA has learned.
“The introduction of visa-free travel for foreign tourists has opened up great prospects for our region in terms of tourism development. I am confident that it will also help us step up the efforts to improve the tourism infrastructure, which is highly important for us. Grodno Oblast has a rich history, many cultural sites and attractions that draw tourists. However, we also need to ensure that tourists feel comfortable in Belarus, and the visa-free travel will help us, government officials and businesses, to make progress in this direction,” Vladimir Kravtsov noted.
He emphasized that the new opportunities entail additional responsibilities for the region to create proper conditions for travel and recreation. Vladimir Kravtsov pointed out that many people from different countries, including Poland, Lithuania, Germany, France and Spain, have been showing great interest in the terms of visa-free travel to Grodno Oblast several days before its launch.
The official also stressed the importance of the visa-free travel agreement in the context of the improving relations with Belarus' closest neighbors. A Polish delegation led by Jerzy Leszczynski, Marshal of Podlaskie Voivodeship, were the first tourists to enter Belarus' Grodno Oblast visa-free.
“We have many ideas for cooperation with Poland. A new EU-sponsored cross-border cooperation program will be launched soon, and we plan to suggest some 70 joint projects as part of this program. Some of them will aim to develop walking, cycling and water routes,” Vladimir Kravtsov said. Grodno Oblast will make more effort to use the potential of its rail and air transport.
Foreign tourists can visit the tourism and recreation park Augustow Canal without visas from 26 October. Foreign citizens are required to produce their passport (or another document for travels abroad) and the document confirming their right to visit the Augustow Canal. Such documents are issued by travel agencies. Online application can be found at the website grodnovisafree.by.
Tourists are required to have money to finance the costs associated with staying in Belarus and leaving the country. They need to have at least two base amounts per day in Belarusian rubles or a foreign currency. One base amount stands at Br21 at present. Visa-free travels will be available till 31 December 2017.
