MINSK, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Belarus hopes for at least 15 percent of annual growth of the tourist flow from China, Mikhail Portnoi, Belarusian Deputy Sports and Tourism Minister, told journalists in BelTA press center.
The annual growth of the tourist flow from China to Belarus, taking into account the visa-free agreement between the two countries, may amount to at least 15 percent, the deputy minister said Monday.
The official said that China is "a very promising target market" for Belarus.
He informed the number of tourists from China coming as organized groups increased by 110 percent in 2017. More than 17,000 Chinese tourists have visited Belarus so far this year, 4.6 percent up from the same period of last year, the official added.
The visa-free agreement between Belarus and China came into force on Aug. 10, 2018. Visa-free travel covers private trips, business trips and tourist trips. Belarusians can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days in one trip, but not more than 90 days a year. The same rule applies to Chinese citizens.
