Why Foreigners Love Gastronomic Tourism in Belarus

One of the priorities of Belarus’s socio-economic development program for the next five-year plan is tourism. This sector also contributes to economic growth, job creation, and overall regional development.

Let’s explore what hospitality Belarus has to offer to visitors.

Doubling the Sector’s Contribution to the Economy

By 2030, the goal is to increase the sector's contribution to GDP from 2% to 4.5%. Such an ambitious target was set by the Presidential Decree "On Improving Public Administration in the Field of Tourism." Currently, inbound tourism in Belarus is growing, along with exports of tourism services. Experts forecast that by the end of the year, the number of visitors could reach 8 million people.

Nikolay Sukhotsky, Deputy Director of the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus:

"Belarus’s tourism policy is developing as effectively as possible: for the first time, tourism has been declared the national driver of the economy for the upcoming five-year period. Undoubtedly, the sector is a priority because it influences the country’s image, provides dividends, and we are now putting it at the forefront."

Among the most popular types are health and wellness tourism and agro-ecotourism. Visitors also value the rich opportunities for historical-cultural, ecological, and educational tourism.

Growing Interest in Gastronomic Tourism

Many dishes made from potatoes, meat, and dairy products are prepared according to recipes passed down through generations. At the same time, Belarusian chefs actively experiment, offering new interpretations of classic dishes. It’s no coincidence that our cuisine has entered the top 100 best in the world.

Elena Mikulchik, Belarusian cuisine expert and head chef:

"In our country, very strict GOST standards are in place — even in industrial production, sausages and cheeses are of very high quality. And what is produced on farms and by ordinary housewives — it’s simply bombastic."

Traveling through pages of history can be made easier with a tourist map. It took about a year to develop and print. The map describes culinary traditions, festive food events in different regions of Belarus, and unique dishes known only in specific places.

Overall, most domestic tourism is characterized by independent travelers: last year, they accounted for nearly 94% of all tourists. Most visitors come from Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and China.

There has also been a noticeable increase in tourists from countries whose citizens can visit Belarus visa-free. This year, around 250,000 foreigners from 38 countries traveled to Belarus. Most of our neighbors — from Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland — are among them.

Eastern neighbors, by the way, visit quite frequently, aided by good transportation links. Additionally, Belarus has direct flights with 15 Russian regions.