Welcome to the workshop

Last year, over 200 thousand people visited Belarus’ enterprises — industrial tourism
is vigorously developing across the country

Great attention is paid to the development of industrial tourism in Belarus at the government level. At present, more than 130 enterprises and organisations have adopted a comprehensive approach to promote this direction by developing and approving tourist routes. Participants of site tours have a chance to ride a tractor, learn how sweets are made and sit behind the wheel of the world’s largest car. In 2023, above 200,000 people visited the country’s enterprises — this is a third more than a year earlier. We have found out what lies in store for this direction. 

In 2023, a single classification of types of tourism was introduced in the country — there are 13 of them in total. Every month of the year is dedicated to one particular direction. For example, March has been declared the month of industrial tourism, April will be dedicated to business tourism, and in May agro-ecotourism will be promoted. The industry development strategy has been developed until 2035. 
“One of the most important directions is industrial tourism. We have managed to preserve its potential since Soviet times. All brands and leading enterprises are still operating, and we are proud of that. However, the world does not stand still, the competition is growing, which requires new approaches,” Deputy Minister of Sports and Tourism Oleg Andreichik noted at the international seminar ‘Industrial Tourism as a Brand and Strategy’. “People’s attitudes towards tours to production sites have changed. Industrial visits used to be career-oriented, but now almost all facilities offer to take part in master classes, visit museums and tasting rooms, as well as to have a hand in creating popular products.” 
A working group on industrial tourism has been set up in our country, which is part of the Interdepartmental Expert Coordination Council on Tourism under the Council of Ministers. The Deputy Minister stressed, “A roadmap on the development of industrial tourism is being implemented. A new law on tourism came into force on January 1st, 2023. In particular, it enables employees of industrial enterprises to act as guides without certification.”    
“Last year, over 200 thousand people visited industrial tourism sites, which is a third more when compared with 2022. It is gratifying that our enterprises are visited not only by Belarusians, but also by tourists from other countries. Over 5 million tourists from Russia visited Belarus last year. They are interested in life, technology, and products manufactured at our enterprises,” Oleg Andreichik emphasised. 
The Deputy Minister recalled that last year, 12 holdings and independent organisations of the Ministry of Industry provided industrial tourism services, “The enterprises of the Belgospishcheprom concern received 42 thousand visitors last year, and the income received from this activity exceeded a million Belarusian rubles.”   
Within the framework of industrial tourism, Belarusian enterprises are actively developing career-oriented tourism. Co-operation has been established with republican and regional educational institutions of the country. “According to the statistics, about 70 percent of visitors are school students. Site tours give children the opportunity to get an insight into the production and processes. This practice contributes to effective career guidance,” the Deputy Minister noted. 
“Minsk Tractor Works began developing industrial tourism in 2017 with one excursion per day. Today we offer four tours per day from Monday to Saturday. Last year, MTZ was visited by more than 15,000 people,” Sergei Sidorovich, MTZ Leading Specialist for Industrial Tourism, said during the seminar. “We will not stop at that. We intend to go beyond the factory premises but have to get certification first. Industrial tourism contributes to the brand and image of our enterprise, and helps with career guidance. We introduce children to future professions, show them what a modern manufacturing plant looks like today.”  
One of the promising areas for industrial tourism development is the creation of joint projects in personnel training and cross-border routes. “Russian entities are willing to co-operate with our regions in building a chain of tourist routes. Another promising direction is formulating a strategy for the unification of legislation in tourism, which will allow carrying out this activity on the territory of both countries. We are currently working on this. It may become the trend for future development of industrial tourism,” Oleg Andreichik concluded.



Zhodino, BELAZ       YEGOR YERMALITSKIY  

Enterprises have come up with a range of unique offers

Thus, at BELAZ [global manufacturer of mining dump trucks and transport equipment for mining and construction], where it is currently possible to conduct up to 10 excursions per day, visitors are offered to take on the role of a test driver — a dynamic dump truck driving simulator will make it possible. BKM HOLDING [leading manufacturer of modern urban electric transport] provides an opportunity to test-drive an electric bus or a hybrid bus. Minsk Tractor Works offers the ‘Assemble a tractor’ service — visitors can take part in the assembly of BELARUS brand machinery, followed by obtaining the appropriate certificate. Another option — take a ride on an energy–saturated tractor BELARUS 3522 or BELARUS 4522 around the MTZ territory — 2 laps of 2.5 km.

belta

Industrial tourists will witness a lot of innovations on the horizon

Gomselmash [Belarusian manufacturer of agricultural machinery based in Gomel] has already purchased radio guides to ensure comfortable visits of its workshops; and after the reconstruction of the museum space, it will be possible to conduct 3D tours. Mogilevliftmash [Belarusian manufacturer of passenger and freight elevators based in Mogilev] is developing a project to launch a new interactive museum exposition. Brest Electric Lamp Plant is considering the creation of a museum of electric lamp products and the history of the enterprise. In addition to the Ministry of Industry, industrial tourism is actively promoted by Belgospishcheprom [Belarusian state food industry concern], Bellegprom [Belarusian light industry concern], as well as the Ministry of Architecture and Construction. 


By Tatiana Semenkova