MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) – As resorts that are favored by Belarusians closed due to the pandemic, rural tourism has proven its popularity, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko said at a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic of the seventh convocation on 19 May, BelTA has learned.
“As resorts that are popular among Belarusians shut down due to the pandemic, rural tourism in Belarus has continued thriving. Belarusians have not stopped traveling inside their own country. The number of guests at rural tourism estates has decreased insignificantly,” Igor Petrishenko said. “Taking into account the social importance of this sector, the head of state approved approaches to the operation of this sector for the next five-year period. At present, the Sport and Tourism Ministry is working together with the State Control Committee, the Finance Ministry, the Tax and Duties Minister, and regional executive committees on mechanisms to prevent abuse of benefits envisaged in the presidential decree. We should not let the idea of rural tourism as a means to preserve and revive traditions of rural culture to turn into a commercial project to provide catering and hotel services to dodge taxes,” he added.
In order to give an impetus to domestic tourism, Belarus is devising mechanisms to stimulate the involvement of tour operators in organization of inbound and domestic tourism.
