From September 24, the legislation on tourism will undergo a number of important changes

To complete the transformation of the industry from social to economic - this is the purpose of the Law No. 156-3 "On Amendment of the Laws on Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism". The head of state signed this document on June 17, 2026. Thus, a number of laws are being adjusted to bring them in line with the Presidential Decree No. 329 of September 10, 2025 “On improving public administration in the field of tourism”. Among the key features of this document is the allocation of tourism to a separate branch of the economy and the transfer of its management to the National Tourism Agency. The recently adopted changes consolidate new approaches to state regulation, management and digitalization of the sphere. Details were found by the correspondent “R”. Director of the National Tourism Agency Kirill Masharsky emphasized the importance of changes:

Kirill Macharsky. Authorities for state regulation and implementation of a unified state policy in the field of tourism will be concentrated in one hand – the National Tourism Agency. The law changes the management system of the industry, focusing on digitalization and attracting investment. It is expected that the innovations will create the necessary basis for increasing the share of tourism in the country's GDP and give an additional impetus to the development of the hospitality industry. The law specifies the goals and priorities of state regulation in the field of tourism. Thus, among the goals is to increase the contribution of tourism to economic growth, and the priorities include the creation of favorable conditions for the scaling of the tourism industry, the formation and promotion of national and regional tourist routes, the digitalization of the sector, the development of a system of orienting tourism information and tourist centers, staffing.

In addition, the powers of the President and the Government are expanded. Thus, the law is supplemented by a provision enshrining the right of the Head of State to establish the features of regulating relations in the field of tourism. In conditions when the tourist market is changing rapidly under the influence of external factors, such a norm will allow to promptly introduce special measures of support or regulation of the sphere without the need to adjust the basic law each time. An example is the recently issued Decree No. 275 “On the development of agro-ecotourism”, aimed at expanding state support measures and increasing the investment attractiveness of agro-ecological estates.

Another innovation is the clarification of the functions of the Interdepartmental Expert Coordination Council on Tourism. It is envisaged that the decisions of the Council adopted on the issue of coordination of construction of tourist industry facilities will be mandatory for all state bodies, public and other organizations specified in such decisions. This will optimize the processes of construction of facilities, reduce construction time and ensure synchronization with engineering and transport infrastructure. The law clarifies the task of the Council – to give an independent view of the economy of tourism, to make proposals for adjusting state policy and improving the investment climate. Functions and capabilities of the regulator are indicated

The status of the National Tourism Agency is also fixed. Recall that the organization from January 1, 2026 transferred powers on state regulation in this area. The National Agency is subordinate to the Council of Ministers. The law gives the new regulator key functions. Among them is the implementation of a unified state policy and coordination of the activities of republican and local state bodies in the tourism sphere. The regulator has the right to develop legal acts to support the tourism industry and improve the investment climate, prepare draft international treaties and conclude them. Attracting investments and promoting national tourist routes are in the list of functions of the National Agency. In addition, it will be authorized to coordinate the appointment of heads of structural subdivisions of regional executive committees responsible for the tourism industry.

- This is important for building a strong vertical, said Kirill Masharsky. Now the issues of tourism in the regional executive committees have been transferred to the management of the economy, already in each of them there are specialists responsible specifically for the development of this industry.

According to the law, a state information system (GIS) “Tourism” will be created. It is expected that the first stage of the system will work from January 1, 2027. GIS "Tourism" will combine online services, information about the subjects of the tourism industry, excursion routes, and will also allow to carry out individual administrative procedures in electronic form. There is also a mechanism for maintaining this information in an up-to-date state.

- This will allow to systematize and popularize the tourist market, the National Agency for Tourism as a regulator to have operational data to analyze the situation. The benefit will be for tourists who will be able to choose a suitable travel option from the many gathered on one platform, commented Kirill Masharsky.

An important point is the clarification of terminology. Thus, the concepts of “tourism industry”, “tourism industry facilities” and “tourism industry entities” are presented in a new edition. The conceptual framework is supplemented by the term "national tourist route" - it has a special meaning for the development of domestic and international inbound tourism. Approving them, as well as promoting as a country tourist brand will be the national agency.

A wider list of organizations that can act as advertisers of social advertising to promote domestic tourism among the population. This includes the National Tourism Agency. Since September 24, 2026, the approach to the return of contributions to the responsibility fund of tour operators has changed. Until this date, the tour operator can return the deposited funds when leaving the field of international outbound tourism, leaving the association of tour operators, changing the method of securing obligations - for example, a bank guarantee. It will be somewhat different: a general rule will begin to apply that funds deposited in the liability fund are not refundable. Exceptions will be cases of changing the method of securing obligations under travel services contracts, liquidation of the association of tour operators, reorganization of the association in the form of transformation, reorganization in other forms, if the tour operator announced a change in the method of provision. The amount and procedure for payment of the annual contribution remain the same.

The responsibility of the tour operator to the tourist does not change. Thus, the travel company is responsible for the entire range of travel services, including for improper fulfillment of obligations by counterparties. The right of the tourist to terminate the contract is preserved in full, the terms and procedure for termination have not changed.

There are also innovations in terms of excursion services. Soon, tour operators will no longer need to enter into a written contract for their provision as an independent service. A separate written agreement approved by both parties is required. To explain: when selling a one-time tour, for example, through the ERIP, the transaction number is enough, a text contract is not needed. That should make it easier. An exception will be cases when the organization orders excursion services for its employees: a written contract is still recommended to conclude, because it will be necessary for accounting. In addition, from September 24, the form of receipt for excursion services will be approved by the National Agency for Tourism.

The terms of consideration of claims are also adjusted: from individuals - 7 calendar days, if no examination is required, or 14 days, from legal entities and individual entrepreneurs - 30 days.

The “reduced” period of 7 or 14 days will be valid only for individuals who are not individual entrepreneurs. This eliminates possible disputes in practice and clearly separates the rules for consumers and businesses, said Kirill Masharsky.

Prior to this change, the norm was interpreted differently: some travel companies applied a shortened period to IP tourists, others did not. Law No. 156-Z removed this uncertainty. So soon an ordinary tourist, if the tour company violated the terms of the tour, canceled the trip without warning, poorly provided services, will have the right to demand a response to the claim within 7 or 14 days.

druk@sb.by