Belarus Considers New Law to Tighten Control Over Agrotourism Sector

MINSK, Belarus – A new legislative initiative in Belarus proposes significant restrictions on agrotourism businesses, sparking debate among operators and the public. The draft law, currently under public discussion, aims to prohibit agrotourism entities from conducting sports and wellness activities, which officials claim are often offered illegally or improperly. According to government representatives, some agrotourism establishments are allegedly engaged in the unauthorized rental of sports equipment and the organization of events that fall outside their permitted scope. The proposed legislation also includes plans to establish a comprehensive database of all individuals and entities involved in agrotourism. If the law is adopted in its current form, it would place agrotourism businesses under the direct control of local executive committees. This move is expected to make it considerably more challenging for operators to generate income from agrotourism activities, potentially impacting the sector's growth and profitability. Stakeholders are closely monitoring the public discussion period and the subsequent legislative process.