Now in a fashion tourism. The British tourist portal named Belarus among ten most attractive countries for tourism in 2009. According to data of this portal Belarus can offer tourists much. First of all is a Belovezhsky Dense forest, the oldest wood in Europe. In the list of the countries Belarus it has appeared among the USA, Australia, Poland, Mexico, Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Galapagos islands and islands of the Caribbean archipelago. In the world certain turn from tourism of three „S” to tourism of three „L” is observed. Here again to Belarus really potentially is what to offer. Travel companies are created one behind one, and offer the services to local residents eager for rest and visitors. Only in my Grodno the one ten tourist enterprises — travel agencies and tour operators is created not. Some growth of rural tourism is observed. Among tourist buildings upon which numerous hopes — a zone of the Augustovski channel and the Mirsky castle are rested.
Someone expects something from reconstruction and lock destruction in Neswiz though in our country, according to the State cadastre of tourist resources for 2008 — natural objects (the river — 109, water basins — 93, channels 2, lakes — 320, especially protected natural territories — 525 (among them and National parks, and nature sanctuaries of republican and local value), welfare objects — 285 hotels, 2227 establishments of public catering, 200 sanatoria, dispensaries and bases of rest, 596 objects of retail trade, 602 sports objects and 174 museums, despite all this variety in the field of national tourism are more than questions, than answers.
Let’s ask a question — that can offer existing travel companies to visitors and local tourists? How they are capable to show the country, the territory? Undoubtedly such question can set in each region of Belarus, in each our large and small city. And in Grodno — a city-museum, these questions most arise. Proceeding from results of dialogue with representatives of tourist business in Grodno and own experience, I can assert, that for today the most widespread form of the reference of tourists to Grodno is the sightseeing tour on it. It is the most widespread kind of a tourist product. In it join, as variations visiting of an aquapark, a zoo and museum of local lore. There is no sense to argue — a sightseeing tour the successful form of tourist service. She on herself demands thorough readiness and the organisation. Survey character of excursion which traditionally begins with walls of the Old lock, gives possibility to tourists completely to present history of development and city building, to note the main marks of its evolution. As result of such excursion tourists are capable to understand Grodno, as a special historical, national and religious phenomenon in the Belarus history and the present. To lead such excursion qualitatively, with amendments on a season and days, structure of participants, character of all round and many other things traditional tourist introduction — business not the idle time, demanding serious preparation. Whether there is such preparation at those who now drive excursions on a city? The question is not the idle. In most cases present guides have no vocational training. The big group among them is made by teachers and teachers who know and love history, and consider excursion activity, as incidental earnings. On a boundary of 20-21 centuries, on a wave „new belorusization” this generation of new guides became the bridge from old Soviet school of guides to arising new, Belarus. By means of self-education, using the pedagogical knowledge and abilities these pioneers of tourist business showed necessity of the new approach and new understanding of this important reference of attention to own culture and history. Preparation of new generation of guides follows from variety of the reasons. These reasons touch the various sides of modern tourist business. And only the complex decision is capable to correct a situation according to which for today actually except the general sightseeing tour to tourists will not offer anything. And the huge cultural-historical potential remains in many respects is not involved in tourist business. Tourists cannot visit Grodno today at such excursion, as „literary Grodno” so them most likely will not get to those corners of a city which are connected with names Мichas Vasiljok, Vasil Bulls, Olga Ipatova, Alexey Karpjuk, Sofia Nalkovskaja, Vladimir Karatkevich. Visitors of a city of possibility are deprived to see a city as centre of emancipating struggle during an epoch of the Russian domination.
Despite a numerous, fair mention of memory about the Second World War, to you will not offer independent excursion on military history of a city. The city fortunately shows architectural variety, but excursions „the Architecture of Grodno” is absent in the offer of tourist services at travel companies. Zoo visiting, with interesting own history turns to sad unrest among cages. Zoo reconstruction has incorporated all features of all reconstruction of a city, including ruthless cutting down of trees. The potential of workers of a zoo which could tell about the pupils much is never used. Outside of attention of those who will want to deepen the knowledge of a city, there are such „trifles”, as the pig-iron and forged lattices оld buildings, history of Catholic church, the Jewish world of a city. The city toponymics — „language” of each occupied place has no thematic attention. Our city has such historical areas, to „Gorodnica”, „New Light”, „Zanemansky forshtadt”; its streets are literally occupied by history, but a theme of history of streets and separate areas to you also will not offer. As the big rarity visiting of the house-museum ingenious Maxim Bogdanovich will be offered, premises Elize Oszeshko or a drugstore-museum — remarkable possibility will plunge into the world of medicine of last centuries. Almost for certain there will be hidden from eyes of tourists a museum of anatomy of the human body, placed just in that building where under the legend there was an anatomic opening (for the first time in the Eastern Europe!) Bodies of the grand duke Lithuanian and the king Polish Stefan Batory. At such tourist outlook there is without attention museum Zofjia Nalkovskaja, museum room Vasil Bykov, all without an exception school museums. Among the last is a lot of noteworthy — the Museum of history of pedagogic in the lycée №1, the created by Alexander Gostev, a museum of academician Evfimy Karsky in the first Grodno grammar school, „the Museum of history of streets”, „the Museum of minerals and minerals”.
According to the content of a sightseeing tour a number of objects are called during its carrying out, but are not visited. So out of attention of tourists there is all left-bank part of a city, and together with it the former manor Rumlyova, royal residence Avgustovo, a complex a monastery of St. Francysk and a monument to heroes-frontier guards of times of the Second World War.
Proceeding from the told there is important, in our opinion a question: that does not suffice the tourist industry of Grodno (and such question can set in each other city of the country) that all complex of cultural-historical objects became a subject of purposeful attention of tourists both from among foreigners, and from among our citizens of all age. Clearly, that tourism in our case is a business where in the market of tourist services there are consumers — tourists and suppliers of a tourist product — tour operators, travel agents and various suppliers of tourist services — journey, placing, a food and leisure. In their contact it is possible to observe either recession or lifting. And active development of tourism bears with itself set of progressive consequences in the most different spheres of economy and a social life of a society (near to problems, it is final).
Let’s consider both parties of this problem. We will begin with clients — and it means from our population. Basically, the tourist so also the participant of excursion there can be everyone, if a management of your enterprise, worrying about development of the employees will organise acquaintance to a city. But on the statistics the main participants of informative rounds become young and older persons. In our economic situation last category of the population is not included in tourist process, and the learning youth really participates in comprehension of the country. In turn activity of the tourist enterprises of a city does not differ special activity, a variety of forms of work with this perspective, but uneasy target group. Call youth anywhere — from an aquapark to hypocritical, and through false „Stalin’s Line”. But least in a native city a city.
The concept of marketing researches among studying youth looks only, as a reminder on the dry student’s theory: in practice of it nobody spends. The whole niche for the tourist offer requirements of educational process for various educational institutions — from school to high school see. In last year in the country movement of regional specialists gains in strength. Courses on study of local lore of the separate settlements, separate areas become the habitual phenomenon. The tourist sector could become assistants in this business and receive the self-interest from it. In this connection it is necessary to pay attention practically full absence of advertising of a city, and other objects of tourist interest. Not on behalf of any firm you will not see the invitation or an appeal to visit Каloza, will get acquainted with a city through a modernist style or constructivism prism. On glass of public transport to you there will be no image of joyful faces of young men and girls which would invite you will plunge into intriguing world of the Grodno history.
Any steps — not through external advertising, not through the Internet, not through mail, not by means of not advertising ways of advancement of the goods tourist business does not go to the potential consumer.
„Does not climb” in eyes, does not involve, does not stimulate and „does not warm up” interest of youth to objects of tourist appeal. Unfortunately it is possible to speak about the big deficiency of advertising production which always positively perceives youth. It is a question a various sort fetishes — clothes, badges, dry goods, labels with logos, symbolical signs on a city and other places of the country. There are no at all subjects of the European collecting, as signs on a cane. There are no pendants, tags with city symbolic, beautiful sets of cards. Proceeding from all it the youth is not prepared for consumption of a tourist product with the name „Excursion on a city” (especially thematic).
Why so it turns out? Let’s try find out the reasons of such state of affairs. Among circumstances and the reasons Belarus, and Grodno in particular, entrance (on reception) tourist business, it is necessary to mean that also businessmen perfectly see. About it they and speak. The main reason is an absence of support from the state. The sphere of internal, entrance tourism does not promise the big profit as it happens in a case to the organisation of rounds the warm countries. According to one skilled and active Grodno businessman, for the organisation of similar internal rounds the sensible, knowing and interested employee is necessary for it. And for this employee the given, internal direction of tourism would become the main source of earnings. And then it, this employee, would give all the best very much. But in the same firm of such employee is not present till now. Why, it is asked? Probably there is no interest in such business. Therefore both work on creation and advancement of various excursions on routes of a city and vicinities does not go. Even visits to the Grodno churches are carried out without the coordination with priors of temples more often. So the considerable quantity of possibilities in the qualitative organisation of such excursions is lost. The military cemetery is never visited. Even such sacral component of the Grodno history as church St. Boris and Gleb (Koloza) and that, quite often remains for tourists accessible only behind fencing as nobody will simply phone to the prior gathers. From the same positions visit to a synagogue becomes literally gift for visitors of a city. Also it is necessary to co-ordinate the visit with the keeper of this building in advance. Meanwhile any of the temples, any of the church organisations inherently never turned away from tourists and are ready to co-operate actively. The city waits offered by travel companies art and a photo of open-airs literally. Historical area of a city approach for the organisation of such shows for tourists, as performances of participants of clubs of military-historical reconstruction. Such shows already I begin it is spent in Lida, Mir, Novogrudok, Кrevo also involve numerous fans of the military past.
Here it is necessary to recollect and vicinities of Grodno. As well as any vicinities, they it is close, inseparably linked with history, culture of a city. The nearest vicinities and a city together I do acquaintance to district in times better, more informative, more eloquently, more informative. More less widespread aspect of history of a city the plot connected with person Eliza Ozheshko is unique. Only recently began to pay attention to the Grodno fortress of times of the First World War. The well-known palace in Svjatsk — a monument of architecture of baroque of 18 centuries could become independent tourist object, but is in the extremely pitiable condition. The small village the Stomach could become serious dots in in the story about Аntony Тyzengauz, but, alas, it is not considered at all in any rounds. The military history of a city and territory as a whole will be more clear with use of lines of defensive strengthening of the Second World War. All listed is out of attention of the majority of travel companies of a city or this use is not a rule, tradition.
However for today’s time development of entrance tourism, incoming tourism in the most remained Belarus city is the basis seriously to think of the reasons of such condition of things and to try to formulate certain directions of an exit from the developed situation.
The city history — a part of history of the country This the general phrase despite of everything pays attention that the majority of organizers of tourism does not know the valid history of the country, histories not Soviet, but our, Belarus. The fear before the unknown person, a modern history still exists, Therefore one of effective steps of increase of professionalism of employees touroperation the enterprises is a growth of their knowledge on history, culture of the country and its people occupying.
One of the basic directions of the constructive organisation of tourist activity in such cities as Grodno is the organisation of preparation and activity of the qualified guides. It can be the commercial organisation representing the centre of excursion services and training centre of guides simultaneously. This organisation will offer that part of round which is connected with granting of excursion services. That there was such firm, it is necessary, that the tourist enterprises have become interested in it. And here without the aid of the state organisations of management not to manage. This help should be complex. It not only protectionism in economy, but also qualitatively other approach in development of study of local lore, domestic history in educational institutions, all-round advertising of an image of a native city as small native land, and full revision of the point of view on principles and approaches to restoration and an accomplishment of settlements in the country. Here only one example of such relation to a historical and cultural heritage in our city — the relation of the authorities to park of nature Rumljowo. This park — the former manor of 19 centuries of noble family — is now a nature sanctuary of local value. Think, that this especial line of the given green file of a city is advertising. Absolutely is not present, this status Rumljowo of the power of a city prefer not to recollect.
It is not necessary to forget, that each consumer of tourist services, pays money not for the information on nature sanctuaries and history, not for a tasty cutlet, and for comfortable conditions which create the tourist enterprises, for that unique smell of history which exhales our city and which is necessary for keeping. „Genius loci” cities is its streets. On it all infrastructure of each city should work. And in an activity direction for this purpose it is possible to begin with everything. For example with... Toilets. How many them at us in cities? And in small towns, in the big villages? Units. And after all it is an elementary component of the organisation of comfortable rest.
In the course of realisation of reconstruction and an accomplishment of Grodno for last 3-4 years there were not few losses. And it not only the Grodno practice. That only there is a destructive reconstruction of a historical part of the Belarus capital. In Grodno „trifles” first of all disappear. Borders of the former Vilensky street with an inscription „Magistrat mjasta Grodno”, cleaned on pleasure to a new tile, buildings which have appeared to be taken down easier than to see in them a new life found archeologists fragments of the base of old palace Radzivil’s or an old fragment of paved street of the Roadway which it was easier to fall asleep, than to think of how it is all it is possible to use for attraction of tourists (I do not speak about more idealistic purposes — education of new generations).
It will be sad, however, most likely the list of losses to increase. „Trifle” which remained from the past more often the story of the guide will tell much more, than. And in hands of the good guide these slices of history will create unique shape of this or that corner of our country. „Young fans Alexander Duma (it is easily reparable — Vlodomir Korotkevich), wrote great French historian Mark Blok, is for certain the future historians who do not have not enough for this one — habits to take pleasure in the present.” In Grodno is the present — underfoot tourists. As it is important to remember it to the local and central authorities!
There is one more direction of development of tourism in such cities as Grodno, and together with it and a wide spectrum of excursion services. And it does not become at level of one, even such city filled with history what our Grodno is. This direction in the nation-wide relation to own national history, as special, higher cultural value, as integral part of formation of citizens of the country. Such movement of thoughts the lung as on it efforts the several ministries of the state — educations are directed at once, cultures, natural resources would Seem. However, unfortunately, is not present. Extreme reduction of volumes of historical formation at the schools, a new wave of russification lifted by the Ministry of Education in 2006, not how does not promote formation of the positive relation at youth to the historical information about the country, parities of these facts of history, as something sacred, significant for understanding of in the territory and in the country, among the people. History, as a subject any more the first year — „сinderella” in school education. For the authorities history — unsafe sphere of knowledge, кузьня опозиционных sights. The latest news for teachers of lycées and grammar schools where among other open classrooms it is planned to teach a course of „study of local lore”: the Ministry of Education has offered a considerable spectrum of names of open classrooms, and among them geographical, philological study of local lore. But not the historical. It should be expected, but all the same looks it is sad.
The country where conversation on the native language associates with political confrontation of the power, should begin all from apart. It is simply necessary and inevitable step that from schools, technical schools and higher educational institutions there were generations of conscious consumers of a new, qualitative tourist product about the city, the village, the village. In a return case our internal tourism and will be saved for the account initiative, directed on the warm countries and supermarkets in Bialystok.
Let’s bring results. Business of creation new generation of guides is absolutely achievable. It is possible at obligatory movement from different directions: businessmen, the state and consumers. And to move it is necessary for all together as secondary in this business is not present. Results created become property of all three parties. To it set of examples in the tourist countries of the world. And initiative people always will be, when will see, light in the end of a tunnel. And the city-museum of Grodno will have the guides. Also becomes an example for other cities of the country.
Speaking about possibilities of the Belarus tourist industry, it is necessary to recollect and such huge potential of the country, as ethnography. To position phenomena that despite wars and the periods of the Antibelarus policy of all authorities for two last centuries, counter to all the Belarus national culture can be still presented for acquaintance to tourists is. And as practice of last time when tourists, let testifies and a small stream, but flow in our country (especially from Russia), the main interest from their party are Byelorussians, our culture, history — for them a little known, national colour. Coming from Russia even prepare for facing the Belarus speech, and have sincere disappointment when it do not meet.
Speaking about ethnographic potential of our country it is necessary to note the following. Object of ethnic tourism is all variety of ethnic culture of these or those people or its ethnic features in the given district. It is important to have in view of, that these objects of ethnic culture can carry as directly practical functional character which will be used during the organisation of rest of tourists, and museum, informative, memorial. Ethnic cuisine dishes can be carried to the first part of such objects first of all.
Also national holidays, and in their structure national songs, dances, games can become an element of the organisation of rest. Such actions will be more picturesque to look with use of national dresses, with use of a national suit. Various reconstruction, demonstrations of crafts, exhibiting of tools of work, a life, economic adaptations, premises can be other party of a touch to ethnographic features of territory. For example: a folk theatre „batlejka”. Or skill of smiths, potters (ceramics of different areas of Belarus — Porozovo, Pruzany, Gorodok, Stolin). Here important not only to suggest to observe of how subjects look, but also to have possibility to see, how these things are made (very opportunely if this process of manufacturing is carried out on demand of the tourist) In some procedures of production can participate and tourists.
It is especially necessary to note such component of local ethnic feature, as territory mythology. It can be present in created with taste and knowledge of business special territories which at certain marketing efforts can become the presents destinations. The height can be connected with the former stay here a pagan tribe. Special object — cemeteries, tombs. Here the attention of tourists addresses on character and appearance of gravestones. Burial places, an inscription on them. For example, on the Lithuanian cemeteries wooden crosses with a carving are often placed. Thus on crosses inscriptions are put: „Died of unfortunate love” or „the Victim for the Native land”. It is possible to see and the ancient burial places designated by usual boulders — such, for example, there were country burial places till the end of 18 centuries.
It is separately necessary to tell about names of settlements, the rivers and lakes, proper names which reflect features of national structure of local population now and in the past. Excursion should be prepared so that not only there were known names, but also opened to tourists more about district in which they have a rest.
It is possible to assert absolutely confidently, that the main element of each national district is local informal conversation. Its sounding not to local, another’s person will allow to feel in other district, Words in other language, other pronunciation sound in something mysteriously. Also it is the truth. After all language is a philosophical system (S. Janowich) But behind sacrament of another’s word there is an invitation to glance in the world of other people, other historical experience. A good example of such active use of local excellent feature in language known regional specialist Dorofej Fyonik uses.
Attention to symbolics — national, pagan, historical — a necessary part of the organisation of round with the ethnic content. In products of national masters, in clothes, in registration of constructions, in specially made badges, pendants, clothes, belts, ornaments. Clay or wooden toys there should be a main symbolics of territory. The tourist should feel certain participation in culture new to it. Him as though invite in it, are glad, that that is interested in a local population life. Here it is necessary to be very tactful and formed in correct use of symbols that not which image not to insult national or religious feelings of local people. How here not to recollect a belt from Ales Belokoz’s museum.
Thereupon it is important to mention such side of tourist representation, as religious holidays, ceremonies, sacraments. Each ethnic group has the connection with religion. Therefore Moslem customs, Judaic, Catholic and orthodox — should be a part of obligatory attention at the organisation and carrying out of ethnic round. Here the exclusive understanding, knowledge of a subject of the organisation of ethnic rest, knowledge of a context of a holiday as on the essence each church action not with is focused on the foreign spectator, but on the direct participant believing are necessary. The tourist if it belongs to other creed, to other culture, should not stir the presence to religious actions. If the tourist — the representative of this religion, very favourable turn of acquaintance to religious action can become inclusion him in this action, this holiday.
The round organisation should be co-ordinated with that period when in national, religious calendars there is a holiday or an economic life submits to the certain occupation, certain tradition. It does character of attention to objects of ethnic culture more directed, more substantial. An example of rather favourable souvenir for tourists are headdresses of certain district. They are used by tourists practically and as are a part of a national suit much explain about culture of the given population. Therefore chapec, skandachka, magerka, galowachka, hustka, namitka, shliubny wianok, shapka fytrawanka, kaptur, ablawuha, padwichka — can be made on sale and as can be an element of clothes of employees of certain agrotourist manor. As an example: here so it is necessary to carry!
Very important part of museums which place ethnographic subjects in the exposition are museums of local lore. They share on scientifically-educational, research and educational. In the majority museums of local lore are complex as contain exhibits on various themes which illustrate both the nature and culture, and history of certain district. For example, museum of local lore in Braslaw or a national museum at village Golshany school. Interesting museums have Svisloch, Lepel, Kleck, Sluck, Polock. Therefore to consider the attractive sides of such museums, preparing qualitative ethnic round it is necessary.
And the museum practically always pulls behind itself creation of the whole infrastructure. Reconstruction of roads, filling by their small forms and monuments, the nature sanctuary status are received by the reserved tracks, separate trees, streams, boulders. For today’s time in the country in a museum infrastructure there are about 150 monuments of wooden architecture, 30 museums of national architecture and a life, about 40 literary museums, about 20 local and historical and cultural reserves, more than 50 memorial. For comparison — in Sweden — about 4000 monuments of architecture, in Norway — nearby 1500. In Belarus legislatively there are two kinds of museums — state (their overwhelming majority) and private — such units. Huge number of departmental museums have no normal legal status. Though right now there is a real necessity of popularisation of such museums, perfection of their organisation.
Among a various sort of questions which are given rise by today’s development of tourist business in Belarus there is one special: a place and a role of the Belarus language in the tourist industry of the country. Already now the tendency is visible: those who visits our country (and now such most of all — from Russia) wish to see the Belarus people, with its own including language colour. The corresponding administrative actions directed on stimulation expansion of sphere of use of a national language are here again necessary. It is impossible to make so that in the conditions of a market competition a national language the next time has been removed from the use as long-term, strategic planning of tourist success is directly connected with an active, daily role of the Belarus language in tourist business.
Tourism — not a novelty for Belarus, as a matter of fact. But in those scales, and the most important thing, with such consumer motives, with open borders (at all complexities is all the same not the Soviet possibilities) tourism in Belarus has a new birth. It is necessary to use the best efforts, that it was generated really Belarus, so excellent, original, attractive, so the competitive.
Рэзюмэ
Артыкул прысвечаны шэрагу пытанняў, якія нараджае развіццё турызму ў Беларусі. Турыстычныя фірмы ў Беларусі ствараюцца адна за другой і прапануюць свае паслугі ахвочым да адпачынку тубыльцам і прыезжым. Толькі ў Горадні наствараўся не адзін дзесятак турыстычных прадстаўніцтваў — агенцтваў і тураператараў. Назіраецца некаторы „бум” агратурызму. Зададзімся пытаннямі: што могуць прапанаваць яны, прынамсі, пра наш жа горад? Як гатовы і здольны яны паказаць яго нам? З якога боку? Якімі сродкамі? Без сумніву, такімі аналагічнымі пытаннямі могуць задацца і ў Магілёве, і У Берасці, і ў Віцебску, і ў Менску. На сёнешні час традыцыйным відам турыстычнага прадукта пра горад з’яўляецца аглядная экскурсія, альбо толькі аглядная экскурсія. Чаго не стае гарадскому турбізнесу, каб пералічанае вышэй стала сферай адпачынку і інтэлектуальнага развіцця гараджан і гасцей горада з дапамогаю розных форм турызма? Аўтар артыкулу дае свае адказы на гэтыя і іншыя пытанні развіцця туріндустрыі ў Беларусі.
Сярод рознага кшталту пытанняў, якія нараджае сёнешняе развіццё турысцкага прадпрымальніцтва ў Беларусі ёсць адно выключнае: месца і роля беларускай мовы ў турысцкай індустрыі краіны. Ужо цяпер бачна тэндэнцыя: тых, хто наведвае нашу краіну (а сярод ніх большасць з Расіі) хочуць бачыць беларускі народ, адметны, са сваім, у тым ліку моўным каларытам. І тут неабходны адпаведныя адміністратыўныя рычагі, накіраваныя на стымуляванне пашырэння сферы ўжывання нацыянальнай мовы. Нельга зрабіць, каб ва ўмовах рынкавай кан’юктуры нацыянальная мова была чарговы раз выціснута з ужытку, бо доўгатэрміновае, стратэгічнае планаванне турыстычнай паспяховасці напрасткі звязана з актыўнай, паўсюднай роллю беларускай мовы ў турбізнесе.
Турызм — не навіна для Беларусі, у прынцыпе. Але ў такім памеры, і сама галоўнае, з такімі спажывецкімі запытамі, з адчыненымі межамі ( пры ўсіх складанасцях — гэта не савецкія магчымасці) турызм у Беларусі мае новае нараджэнне. Трэба прыкласці ўсе намаганні, каб ён сфарміраваўся сапраўды беларускім, а значыць адметным, арыгінальным, прывабным. А значыць канкурентназдольным.
Karnialiuk Vital, the assistant to the dean of tourism and service faculty Grodno State University by J. Kupala. The candidate of historical sciences. Deals with problems of a historical demography of Belarus of 19-20 centuries, history of the city of Krynki, study of local lore.