4 January, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. Vitebsk achieved a positive balance of tourism services for the first time in 2012, earning over $3.2 million from inbound tourism, as reported to BELTA correspondent by the Vitebsk City Executive Committee. The positive balance of tourism services amounted to $2.4 million. As emphasized by the City Executive Committee, this was achieved despite the growing pace of outbound tourism: Vitebsk residents did not travel less for leisure, but the number of visitors to the regional center increased. The reconstructed center of Vitebsk with its pedestrian streets, beautiful embankments, and well-developed leisure infrastructure is becoming increasingly attractive to tourists, including foreign ones. Tourism services account for 8.2% of the total volume of exported services and are among the top five most sought-after by foreigners. The export of services in 2012 increased by 1.7 times for the tourist and hotel complex "Vitebsk Hotel" and by 2.8 times for "Tour Operator 'Ilva'," for which inbound tourism organization is one of the main activities. Overall, the growth rate of exported services in the city for the first 11 months of 2012 exceeded 130%. The largest share in exported services falls on transport services – over 40%, and construction services – over 26%. According to preliminary data, the balance of foreign trade in services for 2012 will be a "minus" $15 million, while for organizations of municipal ownership and without departmental subordination – a "plus" $8 million.-0-

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