Belarus's Wild Heart Beats Stronger

UNDP and the national partners foster ecotourism's transformative potential in the country’s nature reserves.

September 26, 2025

Group of people in orange life jackets on a small white boat at a wooden dock on a sunny lake. — A new water route in the Osveisky Nature Reserve takes tourists to the Mysterious Island of Du eco-trail.

Photo: UNDP in Belarus.

As today the world observes World Tourism Day 2025 under the theme, "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation," Belarus’ nature reserves are demonstrating the tangible impact of their commitment to this principle.

A project “Ecotourism development to promote green transition to inclusive and sustainable growth” implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and with funding from the Russian Federation, is transforming the nation's specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) into vibrant hubs of sustainable ecotourism.

The theme for this year's World Tourism Day underscores a shift in perspective of tourism's capacity. When guided by effective management, strategic foresight and clearly defined priorities, tourism can foster education, create meaningful employment and unlock opportunities for both conservation and communities.

The project “Ecotourism development to promote green transition to inclusive and sustainable growth” has laid a foundation for advancing this approach within Belarus' unique natural heritage.

Group of hikers walking along a wooden boardwalk through a lush green forest. — Renovated eco-trail in the Naliboksky Nature Reserve.

Photo: UNDP Belarus.

The project has provided support for the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure across four pilot areas. More than 3,000 individuals have seen their awareness and capacity in ecotourism development enhanced through active participation in the project-led events and activities. Furthermore, the initiative has established a sustainable methodological framework for ecotourism, integrating innovative approaches and significantly advancing eco-education and eco-volunteering among local youth.

Three people in a forest view a wooden nature exhibit with leafy decorations. — Exchange of experience in organizing ecotourism for representatives of the project's pilot reserves in the Ozery Nature Reserve.

Photo: UNDP in Belarus.

Staff training, including educational visits, local seminars, and participation in international exhibitions and conferences, has enhanced nature reserves’ staff knowledge and capacity in sustainable ecotourism management.

The tangible results are most evident in the project's pilot territories. In the Ozery Nature Reserve, the transformation is striking: a new visitor centre has been established, a scenic water tourist route introduced, and six seasonal glamping sites have sprung up. The modernized narrow-gauge tourist route “Zapovedny Put” (The Inmost Trail), officially reopened in September 2024, has proved to be extraordinarily popular.

Demand is so high that the route is fully booked until the end of October 2025, with a waiting list of over 200 tourists already forming, prompting the reserve to begin accepting bookings for the next year.

Group of people riding a small vintage locomotive on a steel bridge through a forest. — Participants in the first excursion along the unique Belarusian route “The Preserved Path” in the “Ozery” Nature Reserve.

Photo: UNDP in Belarus.

Participants in the first excursion along the unique Belarusian route “The Preserved Path” in the “Ozery” nature reserve.

Green field with several silver geodesic domes near a lake; blue sky with clouds. — A year-round glamping facility "Osveisky" has become a sought-after destination, attracting visitors from Belarus and neighboring Russia and Latvia.

Photo: UNDP in Belarus.

Its year-round glamping facility, "Osveisky," comprising of three well-appointed glamps, has become a sought-after destination, attracting visitors not only from within Belarus but also from neighboring Russia and Latvia. Bookings for glamping and excursions are full for the upcoming month, with projections indicating that the total number of visitors to the reserve will exceed 3,000 by the end of 2025 – a nearly 50% increase from the previous year.

The Naliboksky Nature Reserve has similarly benefited from upgraded equipment and a modernized eco-trail, which has now become accessible for people of all groups and physical abilities, while the Eco-Rosy Environmental Entity has received essential resources for ecotourism and eco-volunteering activities.

Three people outdoors in traditional folk costumes; man in blue shirt stands between two women. — New jobs for certified guides and translators were created in the nature reserves.

Photo: UNDP in Belarus.

Beyond enhanced visitor experiences, UNDP and partners have fostered tangible economic and social benefits. new jobs have been created, including roles for certified guides and translators, souvenir production, and boat operators. Apart from this, tourists visiting these natural areas can now enjoy local culinary offerings from food vans operated by young local entrepreneurs and purchase locally produced goods such as honey and handcrafted souvenirs.

Photograph of a lake with green shrub-covered banks and a cloudy blue sky. — Photo: UNDP in Belarus.

The UNDP's efforts in Belarus serve as an example of the transformative power of sustainable ecotourism, perfectly aligning with the theme of World Tourism Day 2025. By investing in infrastructure, capacity building, and innovative product development, the project has not only preserved Belarus's natural beauty but has also unlocked its potential to drive inclusive growth, foster environmental stewardship, and create lasting positive change.