Abstract
The development of tourism research and training for the tourism industry started in Belarus in the 1970s. This was due to the need for recreational sectors of the economy, which in turn was caused by the increasing demand for tourism and recreation on behalf of the population. Tourism research has its origins in theory of recreational geography, which was best suited to the needs of a planned economy. During the economic crisis in the 1990s, a stagnation in tourism research took place. In the early 2000s, owing to the intensification of international tourism, development of market relations and the improvement of the economy, tourism research gained new impetus. However, the methodology of recreational geography was not enough: there appeared a need for a close cooperation with foreign scientific schools and universities. The drive for mutual cooperation between Belarus and the EU in tourism science and education has resulted in TEMPUS projects. This article reviews the history of tourism development, tourism, scientific research and tourism education in Belarus. It characterizes the state tourism industry and describes the problems that could erupt with further development of the tourism business in Belarus. The analysis is based on the topics of a Doctoral thesis which has been defended in tourism in Belarus.
Highlights
Belarus is situated in Eastern Europe and is among the countries with a transitive economy
The analysis shows that tourism in Belarus has been researched by a number of scientific disciplines
The difficulties of interaction between Belarus and the European community restrict the opportunities for international cooperation in the field of tourism education and to know-how
Summary
Belarus is situated in Eastern Europe and is among the countries with a transitive economy. Social demand appeared to develop the scientific base of research and modelling processes of tourism development, the tourism industry and the recreational needs of the population. The scope of research covered such topic as tourist rents and ecological tourism, international tourism It was the Department of Geography at the Belarusian State University that formed one of the strongest centers researching problems of tourism in Belarus, whose origins were in the scientific school of recreational geography. These countries have largely completed the process of social transformation and have some results in studies of tourism, as well as practical developments that have been implemented in practice, and may be useful for Belarus. Regional and local tourism management, tourist centers, national parks, tourist offices, hotels and gastronomy business in Belarusian
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call