MINSK, 18 August (BelTA) - Belarus is considering transferring tourism regulatory functions from the Sport and Tourism Ministry to the National Tourism Agency. This proposal was among the topics discussed during a meeting between Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and the Council of Ministers' leadership in Minsk on 18 August, BelTA learned.
One of the key topics addressed during the meeting with the president was the reorganization of tourism sector management. The Council of Ministers has drafted a decree proposing to transfer regulatory authority in tourism from the Sport and Tourism Ministry to the National Tourism Agency. Furthermore, the Agency would be directly subordinated to the government. The head of state convened a meeting with the Council of Ministers' leadership to discuss the proposed restructuring.
The president stressed that boosting tourist inflows requires both service upgrade and expanded hospitality infrastructure: “Let me be blunt: If hotels have cockroaches crawling on walls and under beds, no tourists will come. We need standards so high that even Belarusians prefer vacationing at home, and I believe many already do.” The president noted, however, that Belarusians frequently opt for vacations abroad, primarily in coastal countries with warmer climates.
"The time has come for radical transformation in how we develop tourism,both domestically and internationally,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
One of the key topics addressed during the meeting with the president was the reorganization of tourism sector management. The Council of Ministers has drafted a decree proposing to transfer regulatory authority in tourism from the Sport and Tourism Ministry to the National Tourism Agency. Furthermore, the Agency would be directly subordinated to the government. The head of state convened a meeting with the Council of Ministers' leadership to discuss the proposed restructuring.
Aleksandr Lukashenko asked why the current regulator has failed to manage the sector effectively and what tangible changes the proposed decree (still unsigned) would bring.
"What concrete mechanisms will ensure these goals? How exactly will this give Belarusian tourism a new development boost?" the head of state asked the government.
The president reiterated that the government has been tasked with developing tourism into a flagship national project and maximizing its economic impact during the next five-year cycle. “Belarus, as we well know, holds tremendous tourism appeal. But interest alone isn’t enough. We must convert potential into tangible economic gains. The current situation as reflected in media reports shows zero hotel vacancy nationwide. Tourism operators are operating at absolute capacity. Even if we wanted to handle more visitors, it’s physically impossible” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “So that we could handle more visitors, First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov and others propose establishing a new ministry, as I’ve mentioned earlier,” he added.
"What concrete mechanisms will ensure these goals? How exactly will this give Belarusian tourism a new development boost?" the head of state asked the government.
The president reiterated that the government has been tasked with developing tourism into a flagship national project and maximizing its economic impact during the next five-year cycle. “Belarus, as we well know, holds tremendous tourism appeal. But interest alone isn’t enough. We must convert potential into tangible economic gains. The current situation as reflected in media reports shows zero hotel vacancy nationwide. Tourism operators are operating at absolute capacity. Even if we wanted to handle more visitors, it’s physically impossible” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “So that we could handle more visitors, First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov and others propose establishing a new ministry, as I’ve mentioned earlier,” he added.
The president stressed that boosting tourist inflows requires both service upgrade and expanded hospitality infrastructure: “Let me be blunt: If hotels have cockroaches crawling on walls and under beds, no tourists will come. We need standards so high that even Belarusians prefer vacationing at home, and I believe many already do.” The president noted, however, that Belarusians frequently opt for vacations abroad, primarily in coastal countries with warmer climates.
In this context, Aleksandr Lukashenko asked about the exact economic benchmarks does the government aim to achieve in this sector by the end of the five-year plan and beyond? The head of state also raised a series of additional questions designed to gauge the comprehensive strategy for Belarus’ domestic tourism industry.
“Don’t neglect the critical component, namely the personnel. Who will execute these plans? How will regional coordination work? What’s the governors’ stance on this reorganization?” the president asked.
He clarified, however, that this isn’t reform for reform’s sake. Establishing a new tourism governance structure must go beyond superficial changes. Merely renaming agencies or reshuffling won’t suffice.
"The time has come for radical transformation in how we develop tourism,both domestically and internationally,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
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