Second European Games in Belarus
About 37,500 tourists visit Minsk during European Games
MINSK, 25 July (BelTA) - During the 2nd European Games the inflow of tourists, according to preliminary estimates, was about 37,500, Belarus’ Deputy Sport and Tourism Minister Mikhail Portnoi told the media in BelTA’s press center.
“The total number, together with accredited persons, stands at 37,450, without accredited individuals at more than 30,000. That was what we expected. But these are preliminary data. By the end of the year we will know the exact figure. After the Belarusian statistics office publishes its data and travel agencies issue their reports, we will know the exact numbers. I am sure they will be much higher,” Mikhail Portnoi said. According to the State Border Committee, 8,167 foreign nationals crossed the border as games ticket holders, 6,813 people on accreditation.
The European Games had a positive impact on the tourism industry, Mikhail Portnoi believes. For example, the export of tourism services in Minsk increased by 10%. Retail sales and hotel occupancy rate went up as well (by 20% compared to regular times).
During the one-month visa-free program launched ahead of the European games, foreign nationals made purchases totaling around Br600,000 in the Tax Free system. According to the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade, it accounted for about 30% of the total amount of purchases made by foreigners in H1 2019.
During the preparations for the 2nd European Games the Sport and Tourism Ministry showcased Belarus’ national stand and presentations of the games at 24 international tourism fairs in 2018 – H1 2019. “We conducted 26 separate presentations of the country’s tourist capacities, 12 study tours with visits to facilities hosting the games, including the press secretaries of the European Olympic Committees,” Mikhail Portnoi informed.
The Sport and Tourism Ministry took part in the project to make a video about Minsk as the host city of the 2nd European Games which was shown on Etihad Airways planes from 1 November 2018. The video about Belarus prepared by the Sport and Tourism Ministry was demonstrated on the Euronews TV channel.
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