About the rules of excursion service

At the height of the tourist season, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism recalls the rules in force in the Republic of Belarus for the provision of excursion services.

Tours in Belarus can only be conducted by specialists who are certified by the state institution “National Tourism Agency” and have the relevant documents.
These requirements are governed by:
Law of the Republic of Belarus dated November 11, 2021 No. 129-З
“On Tourism” (https://mst.gov.by/ru/zakonodatelstvo/turizm/zakony.html);
Regulations on the procedure and conditions for passing professional certification confirming the qualifications of guides and guide-interpreters, approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of September 2, 2022 No. 582 (https://mst.gov.by/ru/zakonodatelstvo/turizm/postanovleniya.html);
Decree of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus dated July 4, 2023 No. 33 “On the establishment of professional
and ethical requirements for guides and guide-interpreters” (https://mst.gov.by/ru/zakonodatelstvo/turizm/postanovleniya.html).

What does it mean? This means that only persons who have prepared and passed professional certification, confirming the qualifications of guides, guide-interpreters, through computer testing for knowledge of the history and geography of Belarus, political structure, linguistics and methods of excursion work, and also passed an oral interview on the chosen topic. The applicant must submit control texts and technological maps of excursions on which he is going to work to the Attestation Commission.
In case of successful certification, the applicant receives a badge, a certificate and a list of topics that he defended. These attributes must be carried by the guide, guide-interpreter.
When contacting a travel company, it is necessary to clarify whether they have certified guides, guides-interpreters. Travel companies can work only with certified specialists. Foreign guides cannot work on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
As of July 1, 2023, 1,250 people have been certified in Belarus. Of these, 1050 guides and 200 guide-interpreters. Their number is increasing every year. For example, in 2022, 191 new guides were certified.
A guide, guide-interpreter can be certified for 1 route, or maybe 10. For each of them, he undergoes a separate certification. There are, however, exceptions.
On the territory of national parks, reserves, industrial enterprises, museums and memorial complexes, only their full-time or freelance employees can conduct excursions.
The National Register of Tour Guides and Guide-Translators of the Republic of Belarus is posted on the website of the National Tourism Agency in open access: https://www.belarustourism.by/guides/
We also remind you that training courses for guides and guide-interpreters are organized under the National Tourism Agency. Everyone can get trained and get the knowledge necessary to prepare for certification: https://www.belarustourism.by/uslugi/?ELEMENT_ID=537