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Expert identifies key challenges for developing Pripyat Polesie tourism
An archive photo
MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) – Chairman of the Board of the National Union of Tourism Industry Filipp Guly outlined what prevents Pripyat Polesie from becoming a true tourism brand for the country on the air of the Belarus 1 TV Channel, BelTA has learned.
While the region possesses significant potential, the expert believes it must be developed into tangible products featuring tourist routes, farm stays, bicycle trails, glamping facilities, and on-site services. Awareness of Pripyat Polesie remains low among both international visitors and domestic tourists, especially Belarusians residing in northern and western regions.
“You cannot sell potential, you cannot touch it or buy it through your phone. What we need is a concrete product. But before it can be developed and made available, there must be appropriate infrastructure. This is precisely what the head of state spoke about yesterday. This development vector is being prioritized for the next five-year period,” Filipp Guly said.
He considers the south of the country a unique region with its own climate, nature, flora, and fauna. The recreational potential of the Pripyat River basin will serve as the foundation. Filipp Guly sees prospects in developing river transport, as modern technologies allow for the implementation of such projects. Successful examples of cruise travel exist and need to be scaled up by launching 5-6 modern vessels capable of carrying up to 100 people.
“Tourism is a multi-faceted economic phenomenon. It’s complex work, and there’s no time for a slow start. Large-scale river cruise traffic represents long-term prospects, medium-term at best,” he stated.
Currently, it’s important to focus on initiatives that don’t require major infrastructure investments. This includes ecological and bicycle trails, farm stays, glamping sites, and small hotels, preferably made from natural materials. The key aspects are legislative measures and the human factor: training staff and creating jobs.
“The business community agrees that separate development programs are needed for this type of task,” Filipp Guly noted, adding that approaches to territories adjacent to large rivers are generally similar. But Polesie stands out. It has “a unique natural and cultural layer that can be easily integrated into the tourism product.”
Filipp Guly also pointed out that domestic tourism depends on informational support and the availability of infrastructure (recreation areas, campsites, routes). The main attraction points are cities. Plans should include creating comfortable beaches where tourists would like to relax. Proper organization of territories is necessary to avoid chaos and preserve nature. Here, public-private partnership comes to the forefront.
“When domestic tourism started developing on a broader scale, it surprised most Belarusians. This surprise stems from a lack of awareness, knowledge, interest in one’s own region, homeland, because it seems like you already know everything. But in reality, you know nothing. When you travel to any district, you feel a sense of belonging,” Filipp Guly said.
Speaking about tourism prospects, he emphasized the significant role of land-use planning. “And it’s very encouraging that the economic authorities now overseeing tourism have prioritized understanding resources, investments, incentive programs, and land-use planning to determine beforehand exactly what will be built and where. Not just large facilities and wooden houses, but also beaches, ecological trails. Beaches are the first thing Belarusian domestic tourism should start with,” Filipp Guly believes.
When addressing the glamping sector specifically, he pointed out certain complexities. Such initiatives demand an integrated strategy and collaboration across different agencies. Ecological factors are paramount: the development must not damage the environment.
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