Opinions & Interviews

MOSCOW, 11 November (BelTA) - Belarus can become a bridge to the Old World countries for the Union State tourists, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Igor Petrishenko said at the opening of the media forum "Discovering the Union State: from Brest to Vladivostok", BelTA has learned.

Belarus is improving its infrastructure in order to increase the flow of tourists. "Our goal is to be the bridge for citizens of the Union State to the Old World countries. It is better to start traveling to Europe from sightseeing the unique transboundary sites like Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the Augustow Canal,” the Ambassador said.

Igor Petrishenko noted that Belarus submitted the draft concept of the state tourism program 2016-2020 for public discussion. It suggests further segmentation of tourist services. The focus will be made on cultural, educational, environmental, medical, sports, hunting and other kinds of tourism. Special attention will be given to the development of social tourism, which aims at providing services to the elderly, people with disabilities.

The Ambassador pointed out that unique cultural objects in Russia are no less interesting for tourists from Belarus than European ones. To maintain this interest, there is a need to conduct the appropriate information and promotion campaigns, such as this forum.

In turn, State Secretary of the Union State Grigory Rapota noted the importance of such forums as they generate certain ideas and initiatives. As an example, he cited the publication of the book on the history of development of Russian-Belarusian relations. "It is already being prepared. I hope it will be released this year. It will be not the only one because Moscow State University suggested writing another book. These are serious, unbiased books, with a deep scientific insight into the history,” said Grigory Rapota.

The media forum "Discovering the Union State: from Brest to Vladivostok" is running in Moscow on 10-11 November. It has gathered Belarusian and Russian experts and journalists who specialize in the interstate cooperation, tourism and culture. The event was organized by the Union State Permanent Committee, the international news agency Rossiya Segodnya.