This year has been successful for the tourist industry. In H1 2014, Belarus welcomed about 90,000 tourists as part of organised tourist groups — up 25 percent from H1 2013. Tourists are primarily attracted to recreation in Belarusian clinics and agro-estates, along with sightseeing tours to famous historical and cultural heritage sites. According to the State Border Committee, during January-June 2014, as many as 1.9 million people crossed the Belarusian border on tourism, business, and private visits while 550,000 people travelled across Belarus in transit.In the first six months of this year, Belarus exported $120.4m of tourism services — an increase of 13.1 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. Minsk contributed a lot to the increase in the export of tourism services by earning $65.1m — up 23.6 percent.
There are plans to increase the export of tourism services primarily by reaching new markets. Europe and Southeast Asia are considered to be promising markets.
For the sake of promoting the country, the Sports and Tourism Ministry will offer fact-finding tours about Belarus to representatives of tourism businesses and media of neighbouring countries, as well as Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
