By the end of 2025, Belarus entered the top three CIS countries in terms of sustainable tourism development – as noted by CIS First Deputy Secretary General Igor Petrishenko at the opening of the 4th Belarusian-Russian Tourism Congress and the Travel Hub Commonwealth International Forum
Mr. Petrishenko informed that 1.5 billion people travelled around the world in 2025, and tourism revenues reached a record high of $2tr+. “According to the results of last year, international tourism as a whole increased by 4 percent. Against this background, the CIS region demonstrates even higher dynamics: the growth rate here is 2-3 times higher than the global average. Importantly, domestic tourism is the absolute leader in terms of growth," he said.
Mr. Petrishenko added that tourism, like no other industry, includes more than 50 types of economic activity, “It is indeed a real driver of growth in our economies. Actually, tourism is not just an active recreation industry in the CIS, but also an important tool for economic and socio-cultural integration. Based on the 2025 results, Belarus was ranked among the top three CIS states in terms of sustainable tourism development. The Russian Federation was placed first, and it was followed by Azerbaijan.”
Mr. Petrishenko also read out the welcome address of the CIS Secretary General, Sergei Lebedev, to the participants and organisers of the 4th Belarusian-Russian Tourism Congress and the Travel Hub Commonwealth International Forum.
