Representatives of the Belarusian tourism industry discussed options for working with guests from the Persian Gulf countries

Practical issues of the Belarusian tourism business with guests from the Persian Gulf countries were discussed at an informal meeting of industry specialists, which was organized in early October by the Republican Union of the Tourism Industry. This sb.by reported in the press service of RSTI.

The press service informed:

- Within the framework of the next “Profi-full day” of RSTI, experts discussed the specifics of the tourist product for an Arab guest, what level of halal service he needs and whether it is worth building special facilities for this market. Experts noted that air communication with the UAE brings only a small share of potential customers to Belarus, so their main hopes are associated with the opening of direct communication with Saudi Arabia - a capacious market with a strong demand for country and family holidays. You can use the experience of colleagues: Russian country complexes successfully attract Arab families with a combination of capital recreation and activity in nature (quad bikes, horseback riding, water activities). In Belarus, the potential is no less, but there is no finished packaged product. Participants also talked about certification, the basic level of Halal-Friendly service, a separate area at breakfast, creating conditions for prayer and the need to train staff. RSTI said:

- In particular, it was proposed to consider the idea of creating a new facility, which will initially become a point of attraction for Arab families and will take into account their requirements. We are talking about large family apartments with an area of 120-200 square meters, appropriate food and private infrastructure, as well as separate spa areas. For the object to pay off, the premises should be transformed for other guests out of season. In addition, it was stated that it is necessary to look for unique offers that competitors do not have. As an example, one of the participants cited the growing interest of foreigners in the Polesie State Radiation and Ecological Reserve, which even tourists from Mexico and Malaysia visited this year.

Summing up the results of the informal meeting, RSTI reminded that the Persian Gulf market is growing and rich. The Belarusian climate and natural resources fall into its basic needs.

- But the industry is in a vicious circle: without direct logistics and marketing, there is no flow, and without flow, business is not ready to invest in infrastructure. Experts call participation in joint business missions and cross-marketing programs with colleagues from Russia and Uzbekistan, who have already built mechanisms for working with tour operators from Riyadh, Doha and Jeddah a good opportunity to enter these markets. Strategies for attracting tourists from the Gulf countries discussed at a conference in Minsk