Ufa is dynamic and progressive city of students: World Travel Awards President

"Ufa is a young, dynamic, and progressive city of students. They speak English a lot here,'' Graham Cooke, President of the World Travel Awards, said answering journalists' questions on the sidelines of the International Business Week 2020. According to him, the language barrier is an important factor for foreign tourists, and today he is pleased that many young people in Russia speak English.

"Have you heard of those people who are called influencers? They are influential bloggers who have a huge impact on society and the choices we make when we go on a particular trip. I would rather choose what is recommended by the people whose lives I constantly pay attention to," Mr. Cooke said.

According to the President of the National Union of the Hospitality Industry Grant Babasyan, "the leadership team here is able to attract investments, including through such events as today. In any case, the future of Russian tourism is a small, medium, and large business, in which foreign companies will also invest. About 2.5 million tourists come to Bashkortostan a year. This figure will only grow in 2021 and 2022 after the coronavirus. However, at the same time, we should open Bashkiria not only for tourists but also for investors. We must show an attractive region for everybody. Friends, come here to Bashkiria! There are opportunities for work and development here."