Tour operators invited photographers to create an attractive tourist image of Vitebsk

March 28, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Photographers, amateurs and professionals, are invited to form an attractive tourist image of Vitebsk. The photo contest "Discover Vitebsk" was launched today in the regional center, Dmitry Skorynkin, head of the physical culture, sports and tourism department of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, told a BELTA correspondent. The competition is designed to form an idea of Vitebsk as an attractive place for tourists, to promote the city's tourism opportunities, and to draw the attention of citizens to its history and culture. Photos of city views, interesting places, attractions, and memorable beautiful angles of the regional center's symbols will be accepted for consideration. The organizers of the creative competition are the city department of physical culture, sports and tourism, the department of design of the Vitebsk State Technological University, and one of the private internet portals. The idea of this creative competition was suggested by local tour operators, Dmitry Skorynkin said. While organizing inbound tourism, travel agencies faced a shortage of high-quality, original city view photos. The photos they have at their disposal and use in brochures no longer reflect the real ancient city, which has significantly transformed over the past two years. According to the competition rules, authors can send their photos to the website until May 5 of the current year, where an open vote will be held. Based on its results, the photos with the highest number of votes will be selected, and a professional jury will determine the winners. The first prize will be a tourist trip to St. Petersburg, the second prize - a digital camera, and the third prize - a flash drive. Prize winners will also receive many prizes from sponsors. In addition, the 50 best photos will form the basis of a photo exhibition about the city, and will also form an online archive of Vitebsk photo views, which will be freely available to everyone. Due to the cancellation of licensing for tourism activities in Vitebsk, the number of private companies wishing to engage in inbound tourism has increased, Dmitry Skorynkin emphasized. In the last six months alone, the number of travel agencies has increased by 10, reaching 44. In 2010, tourism services worth Br13.2 billion were provided in the city, which is 29.5% more than in 2009. At the same time, the growth rate of tourism export services, which characterizes inbound tourism volumes, reached 150%. According to data for January of the current year, the growth rate of tourism export services was 170%. -0-