MINSK, 10 March (BelTA) - Belarus has seen a significant increase in the popularity of industrial tourism, Belarusian Deputy Industry Minister Andrei Kuznetsov told a press conference titled as March is the Month of Industrial Tourism in Belarus, BelTA has learned.
In 2024, almost 267,000 people took part in factory tours (run by the Industry Ministry, the Architecture and Construction Ministry, Bellegprom and Belgospischeprom). This is one third more than in 2023.
The biggest number of tourists was recorded at the enterprises affiliated with the Industry Ministry - almost 155,000 people, which is up 67% from 2023. Enterprises of the Belarusian light industry concern Bellegprom were visited by almost 5,000 people (up 25%), enterprises of the Belarusian state food industry concern Belgospishcheprom – by almost 58,500 (up 121%), enterprises of the Construction and Architecture Ministry (Granit quarry and Glassworks Neman) – by 48,600 people.
Top Three locations included BelAZ – Management Company of BelAZ-Holding, MTZ and MAZ. These enterprises were visited by almost 59,000, 49,000 and 12,000 tourists respectively.
“Industrial tourism in Belarus has gone a certain path of development and occupied its niche, gaining momentum. Today the enterprises keep searching for new forms and methods of promotion,” Andrei Kuznetsov said.
Both Belarusians and foreign visitors show interest in factory tours.
Industrial tourism services are provided by about 20 enterprises of the Industry Ministry. Andrei Kuznetsov emphasized the successes of BMZ and Mogilevliftmash. Students on industrial excursions see the technological processes, get familiar with the achievements and prospects of the flagships.
The deputy industry minister outlined further steps for the development of industrial tourism. According to him, there is a need for special departments at enterprises that will be engaged in tourism to ensure a professional approach to the provision of tourism services. There is also need for qualified personnel, tour guides, and appropriate infrastructure. Interaction with tour operators is also relevant and industrial sites should make part of tourist routes.
According to Andrei Kuznetsov, industrial tourism is one of the priority areas for the development of domestic tourism today. “The number of people engaged in the Industry Ministry system is 150,000 specialists. We have one tourist per one worker. The figures are good, but we need to strive for more,” he added.
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