MINSK, 2 December (BelTA) - A group of Russian travel agents visited Belarus at the end of November on the Belarusian Advent promotional and educational tour, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian National Union of Tourism Industry.
The program included sightseeing tours of Minsk and Grodno, visits to the Khatyn Memorial and the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the castles in Mir and Nesvizh, the National Art Museum, Strana Mini Museum of Miniatures, as well as introductions to the country’s sanatorium-resort and hotel facilities. The tour concluded with the presentation of certificates confirming the participants’ specialization in Belarusian travel.
The delegation comprised a total of 12 people from various Russian regions – from Kazan and Perm to Moscow and Yekaterinburg.
“Belarus was a revelation for me. I had never sold this destination before – simply because I lacked sufficient information to interest clients,” Aigul Faskhutdinova from Kazan said. “Now, having seen everything with my own eyes, I know exactly how to present Belarus to tourists. It’s an affordable yet rich destination. I was especially impressed by Khatyn and the castles – such places leave no one indifferent. During the tour itself, clients were already writing to me, asking about Minsk, summer and New Year prices, and how to book a stay at the hotel in Mir Castle. I believe it’s a must-visit. I even told my husband: ‘Our next trip is with you here’. Especially since we have a direct weekly flight to Minsk.”
Another tour participant, Elena Shalneva from Yekaterinburg, considers Belarus an ideal destination for “intellectual tourism”. “This is a country for those who love history, architecture, and value meaning and memory over just beaches and shopping. You feel at home here: kind and open people, our cards work, there’s no language barrier, it’s calm and spacious, without the hustle and traffic jams. I would recommend a tour here to teachers, historians, doctors – people ‘40 plus’. For those who like thoughtful travel, Belarus is a true find. The National Art Museum especially impressed me – it’s simply magical! The castles and castle complexes are also stunning. There are so many more places we didn’t have time to visit – for example, Polotsk, Brest, Belovezhskaya Pushcha,” Elena Shalneva shared.
Yulia Filatova, head of a travel agency from Moscow, admitted that Belarus became the 61st country she has visited and one of the most heartfelt trips. “Minsk is clean, cozy, and modern. Mir and Nesvizh castles are like from a movie. Khatyn moved me to tears – the most emotional day of the tour. For Muscovites, it’s a budget-friendly destination, yet the level of service, culture, and people’s kindness is high. The only thing missing was a tasting of national cuisine, though we did try draniki [potato pancakes]! It would be great to organize a gastronomic tour with tastings of Belarusian dishes – that’s also part of the cultural code,” Yulia Filatova said.
Natalya Umanovskikh from Izhevsk also noted a deficit of information, advertising, and promotional materials. “We knew about Minsk and Belovezhskaya Pushcha, but we didn’t imagine a full-fledged tour could be assembled. Now our perception of the country has fundamentally changed. There’s no direct flight connection, but a short layover in Moscow isn’t tiring – the journey takes only half a day. For those who want to change their scenery, see a new country, and recharge – Belarus is ideal. It’s also an excellent alternative to Russian sanatoriums: both in quality and price.”
The Belarusian Advent served as a practical training session for travel agents. Each day, participants not only visited sites but also attended thematic seminars on spa and wellness treatments, FIT tours, and military-patriotic and excursion tourism.
The organizers note that interest among Russian tourists in Belarus is growing, but regional agents are still not very familiar with the destination. Oleg Romanenko, Deputy Director of Tract Group By (part of the Osterveg group of companies), explained that after such trips, the tourism product becomes tangible through personal experience and emotions. “In 2026, we plan to launch more than eight programs – from radial Minsk Getaways to circular tours across the entire country: from Gomel to Brest, from Mogilev to Grodno,” Oleg Romanenko said.
As a result of the Belarusian Advent, participants have already received their first client inquiries for week-long tours of the country, wellness stays at sanatoriums, and short weekend getaways.
“We are grateful to our colleagues who did everything possible to reduce the cost of this informational tour,” said Filipp Guly, Chairman of the Board of the National Union of Tourism Industry. “It is especially important that this time it involved precisely outbound travel agents, not inbound tour operators, regional museums, or external organizations not involved in outbound distribution. This allows us to receive real feedback from specialists who shape demand and communicate directly with tourists.”
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