On June 19, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The growth rate of tourist services export in Vitebsk in January-May of the current year amounted to 130%, Dmitry Skorinkin, Head of the Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism Department of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, told a BELTA correspondent. The number of tourists visiting Vitebsk is growing every year. A significant portion of them are Russian travel enthusiasts, but there are also more and more guests from far abroad. According to Dmitry Skorinkin, the implementation of the National Program for Tourism Development in the Republic of Belarus and in the city of Vitebsk for 2011-2015 is bearing fruit. The city's tourist companies are actively participating in exhibitions, forums, and competitions, which contribute to wider advertising of the regional center. More than 50 tourist firms in the city are promoting the tourist product in the domestic and foreign markets. At the same time, each company strives to create its own exclusive tourist and excursion route through memorable, historical, and significant places. The work being done on the city's improvement, the restoration of historical and architectural attractions, and the holding of cultural and mass events contributes to the creation of an attractive tourist image of the city, Dmitry Skorinkin emphasized. Currently, the construction of the embankment along the Western Dvina River is being completed, which will increase the park area in the vicinity of the Great Patriotic War memorial on Victory Square. The reconstruction of the main site of the Park of Culture and Recreation named after the Soviet Army is ongoing. Preparatory work is underway to replace the sand on the sports grounds of the Vitya River floodplain recreation area. This coming weekend, June 23 and 24, Vitebsk will host a celebration dedicated to the 1038th anniversary of the city's founding. According to Dmitry Skorinkin, tourist companies will bring many guests to the city. For them and the citizens, an exhibition of tourist services will be organized during the City Days. -0-

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