Last year, the Shchuchyn region was visited by more than 24,000 tourists. Ivan Bartel, Director of the Shchuchyn District Tourist Information Center, described what sparked the greatest interest among them
How well do we know the history of our local area, its landmarks, and its most memorable spots for recreation? And could each of us — as residents of Shchuchyn — share interesting facts about our city’s rich historical heritage with a visiting guest, telling them about the great scientists and historical figures who once lived and worked here...
You are unlikely to hear many affirmative answers. However, Elena Arabchik and Alexander Karasik — specialists at the Shchuchyn District Tourist Information Center — along with certified local tour guides Pavel Voikel and Elena Lisovskaya, know practically everything there is to know about tourism in the Shchuchyn region; they are ready to share this information with anyone interested and to suggest engaging travel itineraries. How well do we know the history of our local area, its landmarks, and its most memorable spots for recreation? And could each of us — as residents of Shchuchyn — share interesting facts about our city’s rich historical heritage with a visiting guest, telling them about the great scientists and historical figures who once lived and worked here. Staff at the tourism center organize excursions within their local area and to other regions of the Republic of Belarus, provide consultations for tourists, book accommodation and tickets for cultural and sporting events, publish tourist information online, design travel itineraries, and more.
How ready is our district to welcome tourists today? We put this question to the center’s director, Ivan Bartel.
— The tourism infrastructure of the Shchuchyn district includes 16 agritourism estates, three hunting and fishing reserves, the Kotra Republican Landscape Reserve, and the LoriStur travel company — which operates the 'Bunker 77' Cold War museum," says Ivan Yanovich. "In addition, 20 museums and museum rooms, as well as 42 sites of historical and cultural heritage, are ready to welcome visitors. These include 20 architectural monuments, 15 archaeological sites, 5 historical monuments, a point on the Struve Geodetic Arc (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and one art monument. The district is also home to an element of intangible cultural heritage: the 'Dembrovo Quadrille' dance.
Six facilities are open to provide overnight accommodation for tourists, and 12 food service establishments and 3 roadside service facilities are in operation. Last year, specialists from the center developed 15 tourist routes across the district.
The Shchuchyn region attracts well-deserved interest from both Belarusians and residents of other countries.
— Last year, our district welcomed around 24,000 visitors, — continues Ivan Yanovich. — Over 3,600 people stayed in hotels, including more than 600 foreign nationals. Religious tourism sites attracted over 13,000 visitors, while more than 10,000 people toured historical and cultural landmarks, museums, and other notable sites. The greatest interest is drawn to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Muravanka, ‘Bunker 77,’ the Drutsky-Lyubetsky Palace, the Staraya Vasilishki Club-Museum, and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in the village of Starye Vasilishki. Last year, the export of tourism services totaled nearly 24,000 dollars.
A tourism development plan for the next five years has been drawn up for the Shchuchyn district. Staff from the center will also actively participate in its implementation.
— Plans are in place to install road signs pointing to seven tourist attractions and to develop new tourist routes across the Shchuchyn district, — says Ivan Yanovich, — Two cycling routes — "Memory of Generations" and "Spiritual Gems of the Shchuchyn Region" — have already been developed for marking. We will initiate a press tour of the district’s agritourism estates, produce promotional materials detailing the paid services available to visiting tourists at the Shchuchyn Central District Hospital, continue placing QR codes with informational content at tourism-related sites, keep publishing information online about the Shchuchyn region’s tourist attractions and routes, and participate in other events.
The center’s specialists organize quests, excursions, photo contests, presentations, quizzes, and online competitions aimed at promoting tourism in the district. Every year, the Shchuchyn district showcases its tourism potential at national tourism exhibitions. The Shchuchyn region has plenty to show and plenty to see!
Photo by the author.