VITEBSK, 9 January (BelTA) - Vitebsk Oblast will set up 22 new tourist facilities in 2014 which was declared the Year of Hospitality in Belarus, BelTA learnt from the sport and tourism department of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee.

Vitebsk Oblast is planning to set up 11 hunting grounds and the same number of farmsteads in line with the Five Hundred subprogram of the regional program for innovation and investment development. Besides, over five new roadside service facilities will be created and 25 recreation sites near lakes and rivers will be reconstructed.

At the moment Vitebsk Oblast is focused on the construction of roadside facilities and reconstruction of recreation sites. Ten districts and nine cities of the region have fulfilled the plan. Braslav, Chashniki, and Sharkovshchina Districts have already set up the planned number of hunting grounds.

“In the Year of Hospitality Vitebsk Oblast will work on improving the quality of the services based on local cultural traditions,” the sport and tourism department said.

The Five Hundred subprogram provides for the development of tourism infrastructure. By 2016 Vitebsk Oblast is set to develop 100 roadside service facilities, 100 hunting grounds, 100 farmsteads, and 200 recreation sites near lakes and rivers.

In 2011-2013 89 roadside facilities, 66 hunting grounds, and 183 farmsteads were created in the region. Some 172 recreation sites were reconstructed.