Belarusian, Latvian travel agencies encouraged to unite efforts

VITEBSK, 17 May (BelTA) – Belarusian and Latvian travel agencies should consider the possibility of working together on the tourism market, BelTA learned from Grigory Pomerantsev, Chairman of the Board of the Riga Tourism Development Bureau. A fact-finding tour around Vitebsk Oblast has been arranged for Latvian travel agencies. The group includes representatives of Latvia’s top ten travel agencies that organize tourism import and representatives of two transport operators. Expressing the unanimous opinion of the professionals, Grigory Pomerantsev said Vitebsk Oblast is a very interesting albeit little-known land for Latvian tourists. There are great opportunities for historical, cultural, recreational and environmental tourism in the region. The tour operators were interested in the sanatorium Lesnoye, in a sanatorium of the Defense Ministry, the Borovoye as well as prospects of family recreation in the Berezinsky biosphere reserve. According to Grigory Pomerantsev, tour operators should consider the possibility of uniting tourist flows, organizing transboundary tours and working together on third-country markets. Director of the Riga Travel Agency Svetlana Telikhane noted Latvian tourists show an interest in recreation in Belarus. In particular, tours to the town of Logoisk and the recreation facility Silichi are popular. Speaking about the quality of service and recreation organization, she regretted the lack of flexible prices in hotels. “Hotels lack discounts for regular clients and large groups. It is a world practice and should be taken into account,” she said. Head of the Consulate of Latvia in Vitebsk Dagnija Lace-Ate expressed hope the present tour for the representatives of Latvian travel agencies will be the first step in organizing mass tourist flows between Belarus and Latvia. The advertising tour is held on 16-18 May. It will cover Dokshitsy District, Lepel District, Beshenkovichi District, Polotsk District, Glubokoye District, Miory District, Sharkovshchina District, Verkhnedvinsk District, and Braslav District as well as the towns of Polotsk and Novopolotsk and the city of Vitebsk. The tour has been organized by the Consulate of Latvia in Vitebsk and the Physical Training, Sports and Tourism Office of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee.

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