MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – About 99,000 foreign tourists were on recuperation tours in Belarus in January-September, Director of the National Center for Recuperation and Health Resort Treatment Gennady Bolbatovsky told a press conference on 1 November, BelTA has learned.
“A total of 98,700 foreign nationals underwent rehabilitation and recuperation in Belarus in January-September. More than 95% of them were citizens of the Russian Federation. In the conditions of border shutdowns, tourists face certain travel restrictions, but not on the part of Belarus. The list of red and green zones is updated daily,” Gennady Bolbatovsky said.
Kazakhstan is in top five of countries (after Russia) whose nationals like to come to Belarus for recuperation. The resumption of flights with this country is expected to boost tourist arrivals from Kazakhstan.
In January-September, more than 1 million people purchased rehabilitation and recuperation vouchers to Belarusian health improvement facilities, up by 55% year-on-year. These figures are comparable to the pre-pandemic period. By the year-end the figure is projected to make 1.3 million people, although it is difficult to predict anything amid the COVID-19 uncertainty. In January-September the number of vouchers available for the general public rose by 56%, the revenue exceeded Br377 million. The export of services increased by 48% amounting to Br108.5 million.
Belarusian sanatoriums are also popular for New Year getaways. About a quarter of tours have already been booked for this period. In general, there is an increased demand for the current autumn season - more than 75% of tours have been booked. During last year's New Year holidays, the cost of stay was Br68 per person per day, this year it is expected to be Br75. The cost of the ticket to the New Year party will increase from Br132 to Br143.
