Belarus Tourism in 2024: 618K Travel Abroad, 1.7M Explore Home

The National Statistical Committee of Belarus (Belstat) has published data on tourism activity for 2024, revealing how many Belarusians traveled abroad, as well as the development of domestic and inbound tourism in the country. These figures reflect not only the growing popularity of travel among Belarusian residents but also the dynamic development of the tourism infrastructure. Let's examine the key indicators and trends.

Belarusians Abroad: 23% Growth and 618,000 Travelers

In 2024, the number of Belarusians traveling abroad through travel agencies reached 618,000 people. This is 116,000 more than in 2023, corresponding to a 23% growth. The average duration of such trips was 8 days, making Belarus a country whose citizens prefer a full-fledged vacation abroad. Among the popular destinations, Turkey stands out, with over 330,000 Belarusians traveling there in 2024. Trips to Russia also remain at the top, with St. Petersburg and Karelia being particularly popular — the latter has become a real tourism trend. These data confirm that Belarusians are actively exploring both neighboring countries and more distant ones.

Domestic Tourism: 1.7 Million Travelers in Belarus

Within the country, tourism activity was even more impressive. In 2024, 1.7 million Belarusians visited attractions in Belarus, although most trips were one-day excursions (about 1.6 million people). This indicates a high interest in short but eventful trips within their home country.

• Agro-estates: 427,600 people vacationed here, of whom 413,600 were Belarusians. There are a total of 1,408 agro-estates in the country, highlighting the popularity of agro-ecotourism.
• Sanatoriums and health resorts: 1.1 million people used the services of 478 sanatorium and resort facilities, with 882,000 being Belarusian citizens.

These figures demonstrate that domestic tourism remains an important part of leisure for Belarusians, and the infrastructure successfully copes with high demand.

Foreigners in Belarus: 60% Growth and Short Visits

The number of organized foreign tourists who visited Belarus in 2024 increased by almost 60% to 366,700 people (133,600 more than in 2023). However, their average stay was half that of Belarusians abroad — only 4 days. This suggests that foreigners more often come to Belarus for short-term trips, possibly as part of excursions or transit tourism.

Tourism Infrastructure: Hotels, Travel Agencies, and Sanatoriums

Belarus continues to develop its tourism industry, as evidenced by the number of facilities and the volume of services provided:

• Travel agencies: By the end of 2024, there were 1,108 tourism organizations in the country, serving 2.7 million people (including 882,000 tourists and 1.8 million excursionists).
• Hotels: 618 hotels accommodated 2.5 million guests, of whom 1.3 million were Belarusians.
• Sanatoriums: As mentioned earlier, 478 institutions served 1.1 million people.

This developed network allows Belarus to efficiently accommodate both its own citizens and guests from abroad.

Where Do Belarusians Go and What Attracts Foreigners?

Belarusians choose diverse destinations for their travels. Besides Turkey and Russia, they are interested in the cultural and natural attractions of neighboring countries. Foreigners, judging by their short visits, more often come to Belarus to see its key attractions — such as Minsk, Brest Fortress, or national parks. The increase in their numbers by 1.5 times indicates that the country is becoming increasingly attractive on the international tourism map.

Conclusion: Tourism in Belarus is on the Rise

The Belstat data for 2024 indicates a significant increase in tourism activity. 618,000 Belarusians traveled abroad, spending an average of 8 days there, while 366,700 foreigners visited Belarus on organized tours, staying for 4 days. Domestic tourism, with 1.7 million travelers, shows a steady interest in vacationing within the country, supported by a developed infrastructure of travel agencies, hotels, sanatoriums, and agro-estates. The tourism industry in Belarus is clearly on the rise, becoming an important factor for both the economy and cultural exchange. In 2025, further growth in these indicators is expected, especially if the trend of increasing the number of foreign guests and diversifying destinations for Belarusian tourists continues.