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15 January 2019, 14:07

Belarus' export of tourism services 13-14% up in 2018

MINSK, 15 January (BelTA) – According to provisional data, in 2018 Belarus increased the export of tourism services by 13-14%, BelTA learned from Vitaly Gritsevich, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department of the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry, at a press conference on 15 January.

The official said: “The official data we have indicates that roughly $217-218 million worth of tourism services was exported over the year. The growth was approximately as high as 13-14%.”

According to the State Border Committee of Belarus, in 2018 Belarus welcomed over 4.7 million foreigners. “Those are the people, who crossed the western border and the southern one of Belarus where international border checkpoints are located and the relevant records are kept and calculations are done. In 2017 the figure was 4.3 million. Taking into account traffic from the east, according to the National Statistics Committee, Belarus welcomed 11 million foreigners. This is why we believe that in 2018 the total figure will exceed 12 million,” explained the Sports and Tourism Ministry representative.

Belarus more frequently welcomes visitors from nearby countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Estonia. Russian tourists stay in Belarus for five days on the average. “Our Belarusian health resorts are traditionally popular, primarily among Russians. Skiing resorts – Silichi, Logoisk – are popular. Wildlife reserves and national parks have received a new impulse in the development of tourism. For instance, Belovezhskaya Pushcha welcomed over 140 buses full of tourists in one day in late December. Weekends tours to Mir Castle and Nesvizh Castle are traditionally interesting. Not only Belarusians but foreigners, too visit our farm stays. We also intend to develop industrial tourism. This branch has met a strong interest,” noted Vitaly Gritsevich.

In 2019 Belarus will host a multitude of major sport events, which will bring a lot of tourists into the country. The number includes the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 and a European figure skating championship.

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