The history of the formation and development of agroecotourism in the Republic of Belarus at the beginning of the XXI century

The current global trend of rapid urbanization creates a number of problems of socio-economic development for states. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe at the end of the XX - beginning of the XXI century faced this transformational process to the full extent. The problem of how to reform the agricultural sector, giving it an impetus for effective economic development and preserving the historical, cultural and natural uniqueness of rural areas, has become acute. The Republic of Belarus also found itself in the indicated problematic trend (the degree of urbanization of the state is about 80 %), which in the early 2000s required extraordinary steps in the transformation of the economic complex. The experience of neighboring countries (Poland, Lithuania, Estonia) has shown that one of these areas can be the correct organization of rural tourism (agroecotourism). The article reflects the main historical stages of the development of agroecotourism in the Republic of Belarus, examines their relationship with the formation of the legal framework and support system in this area, the improvement of international cooperation in this direction.