The visa regime can be simplified for those countries whose residents most often visit Belarus for tourist purposes. “We need to analyse from which countries the greatest number of tourists arrive,” notes Anatoly Tozik, Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister.
In turn, Belarus’ Sports and Tourism Minister, Oleg Kachan, explains that, before opening its borders to foreigners, Belarus needs to prepare a tourist product, ensuring that it is attractive to foreign guests. He notes that, at present, a 30km border area is being created in a western direction, allowing residents to cross the border under a simplified regime.
Belarus has adopted a state tourism development programme, envisaging $510m of tourist service exports by 2015. The simplification of the visa regime for foreign tourists should promote the development of inbound tourism.
