Opinions & Interviews

Opinion: Leisure exhibition contributes to growth of Belarus’ tourism industry

MINSK, 3 April (BelTA) –The Leisure exhibition makes its contribution to the growth of Belarus’ tourism industry, Belarus’ Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk said as he attended the opening of the 22nd international spring fair of tourism services Leisure 2019, BelTA has learned.

“I would like to note that the year 2019 in Belarus is held under the motto of the 2nd European Games. Belarus is a country of sports and tourism. More and more countries are taking interest in Belarus. This year we are welcoming Uzbekistan, the newcomer to our exhibition,”Sergei Kovalchuk said. “The exhibition will give another impetus to the development of the tourism industries of Belarus and other countries,”he added.

Belarus is drawing up a draft decree to merge the visa-free zones of Grodno Oblast and Brest Oblast. “The Sports and Tourism Ministry is coordinating the work of the participating organizations. We have got down to the final stage of work,”Deputy Sports and Tourism Minister Mikhail Portnoi said. “The next breakthrough step for Belarus’ tourism industry will be the 2nd European Games in Minsk. Ticket holders will be able to enter the country without visas not only through Minsk National Airport but also road border crossing points,”he added.

The country is actively developing sports tourism. “Belarus boasts world class infrastructure, logistics and security. This is why our country has been chosen to host the 2nd European Games,”the deputy minister noted. “Hunting, medical, cultural, educational, industrial tourism is also in demand. Four Belarusian landmarks have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List with more landmarks seen as potential candidates. Belarus has become more recognizable and is ready to offer various travel products to suit all tastes,”Mikhail Portnoi added.

The 22nd international spring fair of tourism services Leisure 2019 will stay open till 6 April. It features companies from 15 countries (Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Spain, China, Cuba, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan). The exhibition has been organized by the National Exhibition Center Belexpo in cooperation with the Sports and Tourism Ministry. It focuses on travels (seasonal tours, business tours, children’s holidays, cruises, education tours), medical tourism, tour programs, transport services, sports equipment, sports insurance, services of sanatoriums, health resorts, and recreation centers, tourist clubs, hotel services, leisure and sports goods, maps, booklets, travel guides, and others.

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