First foreign tourists visit Augustow Canal without visas
Members of the Polish delegation led by Podlaskie Voivodship head Jerzy Leszczyński were the first foreigners to have visited the Augustow Canal area withiut a visa. BELTA reports Leszczyński crossed the Polish-Belarus border at Lyasnaya-Rudauka post.
The Polish delegation was welcomed by Hrodna Regional Administration head Uladzimir Krautsou. During the official launch, the Belarusian official described the visa-free travel to the area as a significant development both for the region and the whole country. Krautsou also said that citizens of other countries expressed interest in trips to Augustow Canal and filled in applications available at travel agents or on the specialized website.
Effective from October 26, foreigners can visit without a visa the Tourism and Recreational Park "Augustow Canal" in the Hrodan region, according to President Lukashenka's edict. Foreign visitors can stay in the area without a visa for the period of up to five days on condition of filling out specific paperwork.
The visa-free travel for the Augustow Canal area aims to boost the inflow of foreign tourists, create new jobs for locals and attract investments into the development of the park's infrastructure and major tourism and sporting events.
The visa-free regime for this area will be effective till the end of the next year. It may be extended indefinitely depending on the level of interest from foreigners.
