OREANDA-NEWS. December 11, 2007. In 2006-2007, 47 companies providing tourist services were set up in small and medium-sized towns of Belarus. The first phase (2006-2007) of the national tourism development programme 2006-2010 will be discussed during a session of the Council of Ministers chaired by Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky, reported the Official website http://www.government.by.

The legal environment for the programme has been created. Three legislative acts were adopted; amendments and addenda were introduced into the law on tourism (new wording).

In 2006, Br1,325 billion was utilised to fulfill the programme. This year Br2,7 billion was assigned from the budget to promote national tourist product. The oblast budgets allocated more than Br2 billion to realise the national tourism development programme.

The maps of tourist zones and index maps of 118 administrative united were published. The state register of tourist resources of Belarus is currently being created what will help use effectively the historical-cultural and natural potential of the country.

In 2006, 259 tourist facilities were repaired, reconstructed and built; 49 facilities were inaugurated. Over the nine months 2007, the works were performed at 213 facilities; Br187 billion was used; 31 facilities were put into operation.

Three hotels (one after renovations) were opened in the Brest oblast. The Vitebsk oblast opened a hotel in Miory and is renovating another one in Liozno. The Minsk oblast completed repairs in a hotel in Kletsk and is renovating three more hotels.

The Belneftekhim concern utilised Br44,4 billion to put into service 61 filling stations in the territory of the tourist zones.

In H1 2007, the road service retail trade including public catering inched up by 2% over the same period last year.

The growth rate of export of tourist services is 14,9% higher than imports.Yet, the analysis of the course of the implementation of the programme showed that the growth rate of imports of tourist services is higher than it was projected. The reasons include slow development of entertainment and recreation facilities of international level. Another factor is growing incomes of Belarusians. More and more people can afford holidays abroad.