Visa-free travel to boost tourism in Belarus’ border regions

Ten-day visa-free travel will boost tourism business to Belarus and will develop farm tourist estates, resorts, and food facilities, Deputy Brest Oblast Governor Oleg Velichko noted when commenting on Decree No.462 on the introduction of visa-free entry and departure for foreign citizens.

“Much depends on how we will attract foreign tourists. We need to work on many kinds of services and their quality. Health facilities have great potential. The extension of the visa-free stay programme in Belarus’ regions will primarily interest tourists from Western Europe. This especially applies to Polish citizens. Belarus and Poland have strong historical ties. Our neighbours will be visiting us more often. This will boost the economic growth of border regions. We expect small and medium-sized businesses to develop more actively. Joint ventures will be set up, which will generate new jobs.”

The new regulations have been adopted in Brest, Brest District, Zhabinki District, Kamenets District, Pruzhany District, and Svisloch District. To visit the Augustow Canal or the Brest tourism and recreation zone, foreign visitors must carry a valid travel document and a document granting a right to visit the relevant territory to a group or individual. The regulations cover citizens of 77 countries. The decree came into force on 1 January 2018.

Visit the IMTJ country report for an in-depth look at medical tourism in Belarus.