MINSK, 17 April (BelTA) – Belarus' revenue from foreign hunting tourism has increased by more than 1.5 times since 2015, Chairman of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen Yuri Shumsky said in an interview with BelTA.
“Foreign guests come to Belarus to hunt moose, red deer, roe deer, wood grouse, grouse, geese, woodcock and other types of game. In 2018 we conducted 838 hunting tours for foreign citizens. All in all, the facilities of the the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen hosted more than 2,000 hunters and earned €847,000 on foreign hunting tourism last year. Our revenue grow every year. For comparison: in 2015 we hosted 1,497 foreign hunters, organized 665 hunting tours and earned €533,000,” Yuri Shumsky said.
"The bulk of foreign hunters come from Russia (about 85%). The number of EU citizens has increased significantly (15.5% of the total in 2018). Among them are mostly by hunters from Poland, France, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. We take part in international expos to attract more foreign hunters and help hunting farms increase revenue. In 2018 the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen participated in exhibitions in Dortmund and Hanover (Germany), Salzburg (Austria), Moscow (Russia). The economic windfall from these exhibitions increases every year. Proceeds from hunting tours involving foreigners in 2018 exceeded our exhibition expenses five times,” Yuri Shumsky said.
“The launch of the 30-day visa-free access has had a positive impact on hunting business in Belarus as trip costs and paperwork have reduced. The number of those who come to Belarus for tourism purposes or business and who decide to take advantage of hunting opportunities has increased as well,” Yuri Shumsky added.
