Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 22 December (BelTA) – Farm tourism and ecological tourism in Belarus should continue developing without excessive formalities. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he met with representatives of the Belarusian business community on 22 December, BelTA has learned.

The head of state stressed that the decree on farm and ecological tourism development was designed to encourage further development of private business in the countryside. “In 2007 we made the right decision by enabling special terms for farm tourism estates. Back then we had only 34 farm tourism estates. Their number has increased by 60 times over the course of ten years. There are nearly 650 farm tourism estates in Minsk Oblast alone,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

The president attributed the skyrocketing growth to the solid demand for this kind of services among Belarusians and foreigners. Most comfortable conditions for their stay in Belarus have been enabled. As a result, the country has become a noticeable player on the European farm tourism and ecological tourism market. Foreign experts praise Belarusian farm tourism estates.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that young Belarusians now have an incentive to stay in the countryside or a small town and continue their family business, which generates small yet stable revenues.

Alexander Lukashenko believes it is important to continue developing this kind of business instead of resting on laurels.

“We had restrictions on employing family members. This issue has been fixed since we are talking about a family business. Why can’t we treat it as work for social security purposes if the wife or children help the business owner from dawn till dusk? There was a lot of argument about whether farm tourism estates should be allowed to host weddings and banquets. We’ve decided in favor of the business owner. And we did the right thing. Tourism in the countryside should continue developing. Moreover, there is a steady demand for these services,” said the head of state.

Addressing heads of municipal government agencies, Alexander Lukashenko also noted: “If the owners of such estates need land, for instance, as pasture for horses, for breeding rabbits, sheep, then give it to them in line with the law. Help them by all means so that tourism industry could become even larger,” said Alexander Lukashenko.