Assessment of Tourism Development in Belarus: A Comprehensive Analysis of Infrastructure, Cultural Heritage and Natural Resources
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2024.71.52234Keywords
Tourism development, Belarus, Infrastructure assessment, Cultural heritage, Natural resources, Tourism policy, Stakeholder perceptionsAbstract
Background: Tourism development is a significant factor in socio-economic growth, particularly in countries undergoing transition. Belarus, with its rich cultural heritage and natural resources, presents an interesting case study for analyzing tourism development patterns and challenges.
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate tourism development in Belarus during 2010-2023, focusing on infrastructure quality, cultural heritage utilization, and natural resource management. The research examines key factors influencing tourism development and assesses their relative impact on the sector's growth.
Materials and methods: The study employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing a quantitative survey (n=100) of local stakeholders across six regions of Belarus. The research instrument included 17 structured questions measuring perceptions of tourism development across multiple dimensions. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square tests and Cramér's V coefficient to determine statistical significance and relationship strength.
Results: The findings indicate moderate tourism development in Belarus (39% rated it as average, 42% as high). Infrastructure quality shows significant regional variation (χ2(4)=31.50, p<0.001, V=0.56). Cultural heritage emerged as a primary attraction (72% agreement), while natural resources received varied evaluations (57% highlighting landscape value). Key development barriers identified include visa restrictions (74% of respondents), insufficient marketing (62%), and underdeveloped transport infrastructure (51%).
Conclusions: The study reveals that Belarus's tourism development exhibits a complex pattern of strengths and challenges. While the country possesses significant potential through its cultural heritage and natural resources, its tourism development is constrained by structural barriers. The findings suggest that future tourism growth requires systematic infrastructure modernization, reform of visa policies, and development of comprehensive marketing strategies.
References
Albaladejo, I. P., Brida, J. G., González-Martínez, M. I., & Segarra, V. (2023). A new look to the tourism and economic growth nexus: A clustering and panel causality analysis. The World Economy, 46, 2835–2856. https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.13459
Aswita, D., Apriana, E., Herlina, H., Samuda, S., & Abubakar, A. (2023). Ethno eco-tourism: utilizing nature and culture for more sustainable tourism development. Sociology and Anthropology, 11(1), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.13189/sa.2023.110102
Chan, J., Marzuki, K., & Mohtar, T. (2021). Local community participation and responsible tourism practices in ecotourism destination: a case of lower Kinabatangan, Sabah. Sustainability, 13(23), 13302. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313302
Cerisola, S., & Panzera, E. (2022). Cultural participation in cultural and creative cities: positive regional outcomes and potential congestion concerns. Papers of the Regional Science Association, 101(6), 1245-1262. https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12709
Gao, J., Shao, C., Chen, S., & Wei, Z. (2021). Evaluation of sustainable development of tourism cities based on SDGs and tourism competitiveness index: analysis of 221 prefecture-level cities in China. Sustainability, 13(22), 12338. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212338
Hahina, N., Galai, E., Aliaskarov, D., Tokpanov, Y., & Inkarova, Z. (2022). Ecological tourism development in the national parks of Belarus. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 44(4), 1216-1221. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.44405-937
Khan, M., Khan, H., Lim, C., Tan, K., & Ahmed, M. (2021). Sustainable tourism policy, destination management and sustainable tourism development: a moderated-mediation model. Sustainability, 13(21), 12156. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112156
Li, X. (2022). Green innovation behavior toward sustainable tourism development: a dual mediation model. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.930973
Lin, X., Shen, Z., Teng, X., & Mao, Q. (2024). Cultural routes as cultural tourism products for heritage conservation and regional development: a systematic review. Heritage, 7(5), 2399-2425. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7050114
Nazirullah, Som, A., Shariffuddin, N., Zain, W., & Qassem, A. (2023). The influence of socio-cultural and economic impact on tourism support: a mediating role of community value. Planning Malaysia, 21. https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v21i25.1230
Rybalko, L., Onishchuk, L., Hulko, T., Yopa, T., Zhalii, R., Ostapov, A., & Horhol, V. (2023). Preparation of future specialists in physical culture and sports with an aim of preserving and restoring physical and mental health of individuals. Acta Balneologica, 65(6), 401-405. https://doi.org/10.36740/abal202306109
Sharma, G., Thomas, A., & Paul, J. (2021). Reviving tourism industry post-Covid-19: a resilience-based framework. Tourism Management Perspectives, 37, 100786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2020.100786
Tiwari, S., Tomczewska-Popowycz, N., Gupta, S., & Swart, M. (2021). Local community satisfaction toward tourism development in Pushkar region of Rajasthan, India. Sustainability, 13(23), 13468. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313468
Tšugai-Tsyrulnikova, A., Charniauski, M., Khrustaleva, I., Plado, J., & Kriiska, A. (2022). Ground-penetrating radar investigations of the Asaviec 2 archaeological site, Northern Belarus. Geoarchaeology, 37(4), 682-693. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.21905
Unhasuta, S., Sasaki, N., & Kim, S. (2021). Impacts of tourism development on coastal communities in cha-am beach, the gulf of Thailand, through analysis of local perceptions. Sustainability, 13(8), 4423. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084423
Vashkov, A. (2023). Geological structure and glacial landforms of the Gorodok upland (Northeastern Belarus). Reports Earth Sciences, 513(S1), S53-S64. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1028334x23602584
Malle, S., Cooper, J., & Connolly, R. (2020). Greater Eurasia: more than a vision? Post-Communist Economies, 32(5), 561-590. https://doi.org/10.1080/14631377.2020.1738685
Zhao, H. (2023). Diversified education strategies and objectives for advanced tourism talents. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 16(20), 148. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i20.26513
Zyrianov, A., & Pochinok, T. (2023). Determination of tourist achievements and opportunities of the region by the method of geographical comparisons (on the example of perm region of the russian federation and Gomel oblast' of the republic of Belarus). Bulletin of Udmurt University Series Biology Earth Sciences, 33(4). https://doi.org/10.35634/2412-9518-2023-33-4-467-480
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Viktoryia Kauchun, Anna Michalska, Walery Zukow
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 448
Number of citations: 0
