Since 2021, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has been trying to destabilize the European Union and NATO by pushing migrants to its border with Poland. In response, Warsaw decided at the beginning of the summer to set up a militarized zone along its border to prevent their passage. But in the region of the Bialowieza rainforest, which lives mainly from tourism, the news is far from reassuring, and vacationers are avoiding the region this summer. Enough to threaten local economic life.
From our correspondent in Warsaw,
One of the most popular regions in Europe for nature lovers has become a deterrent for tourists.
The militarized strip of territory, supposed to slow down migrants from Belarus towards Poland, passes through the heart of Europe’s last primary forest. A very effective buffer zone according to the authorities, but which frightens Slawomir’s customers. In his restaurant in the village of Bialowieza, he only served about twenty covers this evening, in the middle of the high season.
The restaurateur denounces excessive media hype surrounding this buffer zone.
” Since this buffer zone was announced, we have lost almost all of our tourists. In July, I had a third of the customers compared to last year at the same time. We try to explain to customers that we are safe here, we set up promotions to attract them, but if next door we receive a visit from a politician who comes to take a photo near the wall at the border or with the soldiers, that does not contribute to the development of tourism. ” he laments.
Decline in tourism
However, the route of the buffer zone, just 200 metres wide, was designed to not include any villages and not hamper tourist activity. But Dorota, who runs a bed and breakfast, saw half of her bookings cancelled as soon as it came into force in early June.
” I tell everyone that it’s quiet here, that it’s very calm, that no one is shooting, and that no one is killing anyone, she explains. I managed to convince some customers to come anyway, but others kept telling me that the media had said the area was dangerous, and that it was best to stay away. »
Marek Czarny runs a hotel in the village, and together with colleagues, he suggested to the state the creation of tourist vouchers. A sort of holiday voucher valid in the region that the state would distribute to families to save the tourist season.
” This would allow us to pay for things like hotel or home stays, and restaurant meals. The state has an obligation to help us, because we are taking the consequences of this situation head on in the name of the safety of the entire community. Poland ” explains Marek Czarny.
A project that will not be able to be voted on before the parliamentary session. After summers marked by Covid and a growing migratory threat for three years, professionals remain hopeful of one day experiencing a normal season again.
Also readAt least 116 migrants dead in three years on the border between the European Union and Belarus