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Second European Games in Belarus

26 Jun 2019

Surge in tourists to Belarus amid visa-free entry for Minsk 2019 ticketholders

Surge in tourists to Belarus amid visa-free entry for Minsk 2019 ticketholders

MINSK, 26 June (BelTA) – Over 15 days after the visa-free entry for Minsk 2019 ticketholders was launched, around 230,000 foreign nationals arrived in Belarus as of 26 June, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department at the Sports and Tourism Ministry Vitaly Gritsevich told the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.

“We receive daily updates from the State Border Committee. Thus, we know that over 15 days, Belarus welcomed more than 230,000 foreigners, including fans of the 2nd European Games,” he informed. According to travel agencies, people tend to buy package tours.

According to the 2018 projections, around 30,000 foreign fans were expected to visit Belarus. “This sports event is unique for Belarus and we underestimated tourist numbers back then. Now that the event is in full swing, we see that the figure will be higher,” he noted.

Foreign tourists are visible not only in the capital city. Many tourists visit Mir and Nesvizh, as well as Belovezhskaya Pushcha. “As far as we know, the tourist inflow is so big that the tourist facilities in these locations have to extend working hours and employ more people to meet the demand for excursions. For example, Nesvizh welcomed 5,000-6,000 visitors daily in May, now the figure is bigger. We are going for a record,” Vitaly Gritsevich said.

A reminder, Belarus introduced a visa-free regime for foreign nationals having accreditation cards or tickets to the sports events of the 2nd European Games. The visa-free period is in place from 10 June till 10 July 2019.

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