Lithuania is also attracting increasingly many tourists from Russia – the number of visas to Russian citizens between early May and the end of August 2012 went up by 5 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, 16 percent more Lithuanian visas were issued in Ukraine.
"The tourism boom from the East to Lithuania continues this year, as well," Andrius Pulokas, director of the Foreign Ministry's Consular Department, told BNS.
Over the four months of summer alone, Belarusians received over 80,000 Lithuanian visas, while Russians were issued more than 70,000. They were mainly Schengen visas costing 60 euros apiece for Belarusians and 35 euros for Russian applicants.
In Pulokas' words, the figures show that Belarusians are rediscovering Lithuania.
"Our improving tourism infrastructure is the main factor. We have things to offer – the Lithuanian sea coast, resort cities with spas and the capital Vilnius. I'd say Belarusian citizens are rediscovering Lithuania. They are also happy with the price-quality ratio," the diplomat added.
He said nearly all Belarusian applicants receive Lithuanian visas – the percentage of denials is under 0.2 percent.
Over the first nine months of 2012, the number of Lithuanian visas issued at the country's diplomatic missions and consular offices went up by 17 percent year-on-year.
