The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko believes that the development of rural tourism in the country will help to revive the unpromising villages. He expressed this opinion during his working trip to Minsk region.
The head of state reviewed the development of rural tourism as an example of farmsteads Volozhin district.
"We have a lot of villages. Previously, they were called unpromising. And the farm, - the President said. - Why would a man who grew up there or just a businessman and not to anyone wanting to build a argofarmsteads? Would resuscitate the village." According to the President, the locals could help looking after estates, keeping order.
"I encourage people to ensure that they go and develop it. Some of them are already doing," - said the head of state.
The President believes that the later owners of such manors, gradually developing them, could shape the farms. "Suppose bred ponies, and maybe a dozen cows would be kept. This is yet to come - the head of state. - I want this to revive our village. Agrotowns And then we built it well, but it is, consider the future city, and But these villages, farms need to raise as much as possible. "According to the President, some businesses have supported this proposal and began to invest in those places where once they were born.
Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that Belarus as a transit country should actively develop and roadside service, but not to build objects from scratch, and cycling routes to the nearest towns. According to him, it will give an impetus to the rise of small settlements. "We do not need in an open field on the road to build the service. Because in every way we have over 35-50 km regional centers, and let's tie to the infrastructure of the regional centers in terms of rest, maintenance, refueling. What is 35 km? And often it is not necessary they will not be busy. And if by doing so we will raise the regional centers, then there are going to build on the roadside, "- he said.
In 2006, the country adopted a decree to create an effective environment for the development of rural tourism that allow rural residents to earn extra income and help to create new jobs, revive the village as a whole. Activities in the field of rural tourism is not considered entrepreneurial, and its subjects are exempt from taxes and pay once a year fee for carrying out activities in the amount of the base value. Over the past six years, the number of farmsteads in the country has increased ten-fold (from 188 to 1881). With the support of local authorities in Belarus 22 agro-cluster is formed, bringing together owners of estates, catering organizations, farms and other service providers. The President visited one of the successful examples of such a rural tourism cluster - "Valozhynskіya gastsіntsy", which consists of farmsteads "Michałowo" and "Coney pony." For tourists, there developed a green route, which includes a visit farmsteads Volozhin district and ecological museums, as well as a bicycle route length of 150 km.
Subjects of rural tourism in the implementation of projects provided concessional lending "Belagroprombank". Since the beginning of the program, the credit support of the bank takes 471 subject agroecotourism totaling nearly Br30 billion. Residue credit debt on July 1, 2014 amounted to Br16,5 billion, including overdue - Br24 million, reflecting the timeliness subjects agroecotourism obligations to the bank.
"The most important thing for us, that is formed by the owners of the whole cohort. And this is not something that someone has collected, shared, and there was private property, and the people who own hands created all this. And it is good that there are such people, and the greater their number, the stronger the country's independence, "- said the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko visited farmsteads, acquainted with what recreational facilities they created. Estate owners thanked the President for the country created favorable conditions for the development of rural tourism. However, the President said: "This I have to thank you that you are saving Belarus. Ditched it - the country will not." The President believes that this kind of leisure from year to year will be increasingly in demand. "Everyone wants to silence all tired of the hubbub of fuss. A Belarus, so it turned out, a quiet place," - said the head of state.