Press releases

Belarus’ national parks, Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve see tourist boom

An archive photo

DOMZHERITSY, 23 July (BelTA) – The tourist flow to Belarus’ national parks and the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve is on the rise, Ruzhena Novitskaya, head of the information, ideological work and digitalization department of the Belarus President Property Management Directorate, said during a press tour to the reserve, BelTA has learned.

“Over the past five years, revenues from tourism activities in national parks and the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve alone have more than doubled. The number of tourists who visited them in 2025 approached one million, reaching nearly 997,000, which is 87,000 more than in 2024. The number of foreign tourists is also on the rise, reaching almost 218,000,” Ruzhena Novitskaya said.

Guests are provided with accommodation, catering, and hunting services. Fishing permits are available for purchase, guided tours are offered, equipment rental is available, and campsites can be rented.

Ruzhena Novitskaya emphasized that the head of state has set a task to turn tourism into a national project over the next five years. The Belarus President Property Management Directorate is actively involved in achieving this goal. Its network includes seven conservation and forestry institutions: the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, four national parks, and two forestry enterprises, which also offer hunting, fishing tourism, and outdoor activities. It also includes seven health resorts, four of which are located in Belarus. A Strategy for Tourism and Health Resorts Development for the coming years has been approved, with the main focus placed on national parks and the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, which serve as major tourist magnets.

“The potential for recreation in protected areas is huge. If we approach this wisely and respect the strict limits on nature, we can easily multiply our tourism revenue. This does not require colossal investments,” Ruzhena Novitskaya said.

In 2025, the growth rate of tourism services in conservation and forestry institutions exceeded 20% in comparable prices compared to 2024. This positive trend continues into 2026, with the revenue growth rate from tourism services exceeding 22% in January–May. Infrastructure has been updated, and new routes alongside one-day and two-day tours have been organized.

“This is not the limit of our capabilities. Further plans for the development of tourism activities have been outlined. Over the five-year period through 2030, according to the tourism development strategy within the President Property Management Directorate system, we plan to double the revenue from tourism services in our institutions – up to Br70 million, and increase the export of services by more than 1.5 times, to nearly $6 million. Measures have been identified for these goals, and they are achievable,” Ruzhena Novitskaya said.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks