Rural tourism in Belarus: prospects and prices for summer holidays in 2022

Every year, the May holidays open the tourist season. For many Belarusians, it starts close to home. In recent years, COVID and closed borders have been a real test for the tourism industry. But it allowed the Belarusians to get to know their country better. Rural vacations have provided such an opportunity. The number of farmsteads has exceeded the 3,000 mark. And this number is only growing. Last year was also marked by an increasing trend. The farmsteads owners call not to put off booking - the best places are quickly sold out, especially now, when the borders are open.

Rural tourism in Belarus

The past year was, perhaps, the most difficult in the history of tourism. COVID, in fact, closed travelers within the borders of their country. Many people thought: this is a chance for domestic tourism. And indeed it was.

Only during the difficult year of 2021, more than 200 new agro-farms appeared in Belarus. The enthusiasm of the villagers is impressive.

But so far, the tourist is cautious. May, of course, is scheduled, says the owner. Reservations are tight even in summer. But if you want to find a place you can.

In short, tourists in the Belarusian countryside are welcome. The hosts are sure that the pandemic has taught not only to appreciate their own, when no one else's is available, but also to look at the recreation in the lap of nature in a different way. The village gives such an opportunity. They say, here you forget about political perturbations and currency volatility.

Vacations in the countryside: the prospects.

But in general, contrary to predictions of pessimists, rural tourism in the difficult years of closed borders and the pandemic survived. Moreover, perhaps, it is the only one among other types of tourist services. Today there are already 3,150 farmsteads in Belarus. Last year more than half a million tourists stayed in them, in spite of all the burdens.

May holidays, especially for those who make some programs for children, are fully booked. The owner of the farmstead showed me her diary for May. It's 5-6 groups a day. People will vacation, they will travel, maybe to more modest homesteads, but it will still happen.

In recent years, Belarus has opened up in a new way to many who went for impressions in the countryside. And such tourists will remain, experts assure. Not because there is nowhere to go. While the possibilities of foreign recreation are limited, the Belarusians have a chance to fall in love with their country. And the homesteads have everything to make it happen.