MINSK, 14 January (BelTA) – The export of tourism services is expected to generate about $360 million in 2014, Vadim Karmazin, the Director of the Tourism Department of the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry, said during an online conference on the BelTA website on 14 January.

“The figure will increase due to commissioning of new accommodation facilities. Health farms will be improved further (now recreation accounts for over 60% of the export of tourism services). In 2014 the demand for rural estates among foreign tourists is expected to increase by 25%.

“Today many foreign citizens come to Belarus for medical treatment. Therefore, we are going to renew our focus on the promotion of medical tourism,” Vadim Karmazin said. Hostels, hotels and camping facilities will expand the range of services. “This segment is still underdeveloped, however the situation will gradually change for the better,” the representative of the ministry noted.

In January-November 2013, the export of tourism services was estimated at $217 million. The yearend target is expected to near $235 million (up by 15-16% compared to 2012). “In my view, last year was successful for the tourism industry, both inbound and outbound tourism,” Vadim Karmazin underlined.

Commenting on the development of inbound tourism, the official said that foreign tourists are statistically grouped into two categories – tourists who buy a tour from a travel agencies and tourists travelling independently for business or private purposes. “In 2013 our country welcomed about 130,000 tourists of the first group, up by 7% compared to 2012. As for the second group, the preliminary figure is estimated at 4.2 million, up by 5%,” the Director of the Tourism Department said.