The best agro-estate of 2014 was determined in the Vitebsk region

The award ceremony took place at the regional executive committee as part of a meeting of the interdepartmental coordination council for tourism, which addressed current issues of the industry's development, primarily the expansion of service exports. Agritourism, which has been gaining momentum over the years, plays a significant role in this.

As noted by Vladimir Terentyev, Deputy Chairman of the regional executive committee and head of the council, the impetus for development was the "Five Hundred" subprogram, adopted as part of the Regional Program for Innovative and Investment Development of the Region for 2010-2015.

– Rural tourism has become a source of additional income for the local population, creation of new jobs, investment in infrastructure development, and a tool for sustainable regional development, fostering a responsible and engaged attitude among villagers towards preserving natural landscapes and historical and cultural heritage. Our region possesses significant natural potential for the development of agroecotourism. Vitebsk region is a land of lakes, rivers, and forests; it hosts two national parks, nature reserves, sanctuaries, and natural monuments. The region is renowned for its rich history and culture. This attracts an increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists to us, – emphasized Vladimir Terentyev.

Thus, last year, agritourism estates hosted over 32,000 tourists, including 4,700 foreigners from 29 countries. Russians, Latvians, Poles, Germans, Italians, Americans, and residents of other foreign countries choose houses in the Belarusian countryside for their holidays. Estate owners earned over 15 billion rubles, which is 38% more than in 2013.

If at the beginning of last year there were 449 registered rural tourism entities in the region, then at the beginning of 2015 – 502, and by the end of the current half-year, their number reached 603. The largest number of agritourism estates are located in Braslav, Postavy, Glubokoye, Miory, Polotsk, and Rossony districts. Their number has significantly increased in Sennoye (from 17 in 2014 to 26 in 2015).

Since 2006, Belagroprombank has been successfully implementing a program to participate in the development of agritourism in Belarus. Over the past period, 118 entities have received loans totaling more than 9 billion rubles. A public council for the development of agroecotourism operates under the Department of Sports and Tourism of the Regional Executive Committee. Many estates participated in the international culinary heritage project "Bella Cucina," which resulted in the creation of a route that included estates in the Vitebsk region and the Latgale region. A promotional tour took place in early November.

According to Daria Matskevich, Deputy Head of the Department of Sports and Tourism of the Regional Executive Committee, the number of people wishing to participate in the competition is growing every year, which serves as an incentive for business development and additional advertising for agroecotourism estates. Winners and laureates were selected in five categories. The main award in the nomination "Preservation of Belarusian Traditions" was received by Oleg Kolesen, the owner of "Khatа pad klyonami" in the village of Noviki, Postavy district. Oleg Iosifovich is one of the pioneers of the tourism business in the Postavy district. He focused on Belarusian traditions. He built two village houses, similar to those that have been inhabited in these places since time immemorial. He cooks lunches in a stove in cast-iron pots, makes cheese and sausages himself, and treats guests to national dishes.

The prize "For Hospitality" was awarded to Elena Prudnyachenok, who opened the "Luka" estate in the village of Ekimany-2, Polotsk district, 7 years ago. Guests from different countries staying here note the warm welcome and the hostess's cordiality. In the nomination "Best Start", the "Prostokvashino" estate in the Orsha district (owners Andrey and Marina Pristromovy) won. For promoting a healthy lifestyle, Nikolai Podrez, the owner of the "Nikolaevsky Posad" estate in the village of Serzhany, Ushachi district, was awarded in the corresponding category. In addition to guest houses, he equipped a campsite where tourists can stay in tents. The "Zvon-gora" estate (owner Vladislav Mishurny) in the village of Gora, Vitebsk district, was recognized as the best eco-estate of the year.

In addition to the 5 winners, 10 laureates of the regional competition, organized by the regional executive committee in conjunction with OJSC "Belagroprombank" and the Belarusian public association "Rest in the Village", received awards from sponsors.

Tatsiana Pasternak. Photo by Anton Stepanishchev. "Vitebskiye Vesti".