COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF COMPETITIVENESS OF NATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES)
The assessment of the competitiveness of the country tourist destination is the basis for its development strategy. The Republic of Belarus is not represented in the rating of the tourism competitiveness of the World Economic Forum. This makes it difficult to determine the starting positions and strategic vectors for the development of the national tourism industry. The article suggests an alternative approach to solving this problem. The methodology for assessing the competitiveness of national destinations is outlined by the 5 concepts: a geographical location, a purpose of travel, a tourist product, an object of business and a subject of competition. The methodology for assessing the competitiveness of national destinations takes into account 25 indicators. The methodology is based on the mathematical and statistical calculations and graphical interpretation of the data obtained. The comparative analysis of the competitiveness of the destinations of Belarus, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia was carried out. Poland has the greatest competitiveness, Belarus is the least. Belarus is the most competitive in the "tourist product" concept. The main reserves of growth of competitiveness of the national destination of Belarus are related to its development within the framework of the concepts "business object" and "travel purpose".