As the political crisis in Ukraine has reduced the number of Ukrainian tourists, Slovak tourism resorts have shifted their focus on the increasing numbers of tourists from Baltic countries and Belarus.
The number of tourists visiting from Belarus has risen by 60 percent on average in recent years, with Slovakia keen to attract even more tourists from this country of 9.5 million people, suggested the Transport, Construction and Regional Development Ministry State Secretary František Palko on Tuesday, following a tourism business forum in Minsk. “We've agreed [with Belarus' state representatives] on boosting the exchange of information on tourism market development and promotional activities in Slovakia and Belarus”, said Palko. Belarusian tourists are most frequently attracted by Slovak spas, wellness centres, thermal baths, aqua-parks, winter resorts and urban tourism. According to ministry spokesman Martin Kóňa, the Slovak ministry – in co-operation with Belarusian state television – has produced 15 documentary films focused on Slovak tourism – which is one of the reasons behind the recent boost in the numbers of Belarusians visiting Slovakia.
Another service poised to facilitate this new Baltic focus will be a new air connection scheduled to enter operation for the coming winter season, connecting Poprad to Riga, in Latvia. The connection will be operated once a week by Latvian carrier airBaltic, which will use Q400 NG Bombardier, Boeing 737-500 and Boeing 737-300 aircraft on the line. “Clients from neighbouring countries [of Latvia] will also be able to use this line ... Our drive on eastern markets is intense”, comments director of the Lucky Spa in the traditional region of Liptov, situated at the feet under the High Tatras mountain range.
Dr. Janka Zálešáková, the chair of the Slovak Spa Association, believes that developments in the visa system and exchange rates will also have significant effects on the possibilities of tourists coming from Eastern Europe. “We've received signals about the increased interest of Ukrainians in Slovak spas, as they've lost their spa resorts in Crimea. Nevertheless, the severe depreciation of the Ukrainian currency may represent a problem, as this has increased prices for them [in Slovakia], of course”, said Zálešáková.
