Posted: 30.12.2022 11:22:00

MP: gastro-, eco- and agro-tourism gaining popularity in Belarus

Zhanna Chernyavskaya, the Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the House of Representatives on Ecology, Nature Management and the Chernobyl Disaster Recovery, has informed that domestic tourism is now developing more actively in Belarus, with recreation centres, sanatoriums, spa complexes, and farmsteads enjoying particular demand

“Foreigners are increasingly coming to Belarus for new impressions. The demand is growing for gastro-tourism, agro-ecotourism, and industrial tourism. Belarusian folk ceremonies and festivals are becoming increasingly popular. The county’s visa-free regime has become a good economic help for Latvians, Lithuanians and Poles who purchase Belarus-made goods at lower prices than at home. This once again confirms that we are open, adhere to a peaceful policy, and are always ready to help and welcome guests," Ms. Chernyavskaya said.

During the period of COVID restrictions, many Belarusians turned to travels around the country. “For example, my colleague and I have developed the Belarusian Odyssey routes which demonstrate our unusual places and wonderful people. Everyone can choose tours to their liking,” the official said, adding that holidaymakers are offered active and extreme recreation, eco-excursions, photo hunting, visiting castles, manors, parks, and swamps.

The tourism industry has actually revived in Belarus. “Families with children, young people get rid of stereotypes that someone else has more interesting and attractive places. Photos and videos are actively posted on social networks, and such a path is necessary for modern development of domestic tourism,” Ms. Chernyavskaya explained.

Each Belarusian region has its own features, unique sights and colours, museums of folk culture. Many of them develop their brand by presenting it at regional festivals. In 2020, 470 thousand people visited the country’s farmsteads and, in 2021, the figure exceeded 500,000. The services provided have become more qualitative and diverse as well.

The MP stressed that the state is taking serious measures to support this sphere, “The country has approved a national strategy for tourism development until 2035. Reconstruction of various objects – i.e. the Golshany and Krevo castles – continues. At the same time, it is important that public-private partnerships develop. It is necessary to expand an accessible and comfortable tourist environment using private capital and entrepreneurial initiative. We should also increase the level of services and expand their range. The work dealing with creation of websites and pages in social networks needs to be continued. Loyalty policies are also important, and they could envisage discounts and bonuses to regular customers.”