«Today, Grodno is one of the most attractive tourist cities in Belarus, and statistics confirm this,» Dmitry Mikhalsky said. «An analysis of the H1 2026 showed that we have not only recovered but even doubled our pre-pandemic tourism exports. As of today, Grodno ranks among the top three destinations in Belarus.»
The deputy mayor also noted that the structure of the tourist flow has shifted due to a rise in domestic tourism. «At the same time, Grodno remains a highly popular destination for visitors from the Russian Federation. Today, we are also seeing increased interest from Chinese tourists. The visa waiver program for visiting our country, and Grodno in particular, is being utilized not only by visitors from distant nations but also by our neighbors. Many come here more than once, have a great time, and keep coming back,» he added.
According to Dmitry Mikhalsky, the city on the Neman River is popular among tourists visiting for various reasons, including medical treatments, sightseeing, and family vacations. «Everything being done by the city authorities, with the support of the regional government, naturally creates a strong foundation for the continued growth of our tourism industry,» he said.
The deputy mayor noted that the issue of accommodation remains urgent. «Our demand exceeds supply. While previously the main tourist flow was concentrated around the summer season and winter holidays, this year high hotel occupancy was observed from April through September,» Dmitry Mikhalsky said. «Belarus is currently implementing a state tourism program through 2030, which aims to increase the tourism industry’s contribution to the country’s GDP by 2.5 times. This will be achieved by building new infrastructure and boosting both domestic and inbound tourism. Thanks to preferential financing programs offered by the Development Bank during the current five-year plan, the city has already received 17 applications, with 13 projects currently under consideration. Funding has already been approved for some of them. Investors are keen on purchasing real estate in Grodno to build accommodations and catering facilities, which will further boost our tourist appeal.»
The deputy mayor added that preparations for Grodno’s 900th anniversary, which focus on upgrading the Neman River embankment, will help complete a new tourist route. «Currently, the vast majority of tourists visit the city center, but part of the historic city lies across the Neman River. Thanks to the embankment, we plan to connect this new tourist route with a path leading to a facility we plan to commission this year — the Lazurny swimming pool,» he said. «Additionally, the development of a major site, a multifunctional complex on the grounds of the former brewery, is nearing completion.» He added that investors are also being offered properties to increase accommodation capacity, one example being the former Grodno Hotel, which has been put up for auction.
Today’s tourism forum provides an opportunity to discuss the sector’s performance and future objectives. Notably, guests from Grodno’s sister city, Krasnodar, are participating in the event, which will help combine efforts to promote the city on the Neman River.
Director of the Information Policy Department of the Krasnodar Administration Nadezhda Lutai noted that Krasnodar and Grodno are developing friendly ties across a wide range of areas.
«Our delegation is currently in Grodno on a short familiarization tour, and we are deeply grateful to our welcoming brotherly hosts. We are thrilled to be part of this major celebration, and these days we are experiencing all the charms of this city. We couldn’t be happier. We truly love the blend of the city’s historic part with modernity,» she said, emphasizing that steps have already been outlined for mutual tourism promotion.
Grodno is celebrating its 898th anniversary this year. The main events are scheduled for 4 and 5 September. For a few days, the city’s historic center will transform into a massive interactive venue.
