Press releases

MINSK, 29 September (BelTA) – Five tourist areas of Belarus have been active promoting their brands developed under the EU project Support to Sustainable Tourism Development in Belarus, head of the project Janez Sirse told the media on 29 September, BelTA has learned.

The project covers five regions: Polotsk, the Kamenets and Pruzhany destination with the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Myadel District and Lake Naroch, Mstislavl, the Augustow Canal. According to Janez Sirse, the project is nearing its completion. Tourism development strategies and brands have been developed for all the five regions. There have also been determined concrete tourist products, key markets and promotion methods. “At present these areas are actively integrating the new brands into the tourism product promotion. Brochures for two destinations have been already developed. The development of websites is in full swing. Belarusian specialists also took part in the project. A working group led by the deputy chairperson of a regional executive committee or a oblast executive committee was set up in every destination. Almost all the work has been done,” he said.

Tourism products for every region were chosen taking into account their key features. Mstislavl, for instance, is known for its historical and archeological trend. The Kamenets and Pruzhany destination is famous for rural and gastronomic tourism. Myadel District offers medical tourism and outdoor activities. The Augustow Canal can attract tourists to its water events.

Belarus’ Deputy Sport and Tourism Minister Mikhail Portnoi expressed gratitude to the team of the project for the contribution to the development of tourism in Belarus. “It is a successful project and it is very beneficial for the country. Now every destination has its own things and novelties that will help them boost tourism,” he said.

The goal of the project Support to Sustainable Tourism Development in Belarus is to improve cooperation between the oblast, local administrations, tourist services providers and other national and local stakeholders. The project is aimed at supporting local and oblast authorities in the development of the tourism promotion strategy through the application of the European best practices in tourism management, the expansion of the range of tourism products and improvement of their quality.

A tourist attraction is a place of interest which tourists visit typically for its inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure, adventure and amusement.