There are proposals to make domestic tourism a cornerstone of Belarus' new tourism promotion program. The program was discussed at the meeting of Economy Minister Aleksandr Chervyakov with representatives of tourism unions and associations and the Sports and Tourism Ministry, BelTA learned from the press service of the Economy Ministry.

Aleksandr Chervyakov emphasized that tourism can be instrumental in boosting domestic demand and fostering economic growth. He named the key points in promoting the tourism industry as part of the country's social and economic development program. He believes that a bigger priority should be given to the promotion of domestic and inbound tourism, infrastructure development, close inter-sectoral cooperation (medical, rural, industry and business tourism), accessibility and affordability of trips within the country and smart marketing of such tours.

“These ideas were upheld by the participants of the meeting. A proposal was made to incorporate them into the country's new tourism development program,” the press service noted.

The participants of the meeting also discussed the state of things in the tourism sector that was hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Deputy Sports and Tourism Minister Mikhail Portnoi informed the attendees that a coronavirus relief bill was developed to support the tourism industry in the short-term perspective. The bill sets forth emergency measures to stabilize the situation. At present this document is undergoing scrutiny by government agencies.