Pandemic allowed Russian tourists to explore their country: experts of IBW-2020

The restrictions on outbound tourism related to the COVID-19 pandemic have created unprecedented opportunities for Russian residents to see and experience their country as tourists and witness the modernization of the domestic tourism industry. This is what the experts of the International Business Week 2020 (IBW) say.

"We are looking forward to the adoption of the "Tourism and Hospitality Industry" national project. I think it will be adopted in the first quarter of next year and will give a new impetus to the industry", the chairman of the State Duma Committee On Physical Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs Boris Paikin said during the plenary session "Tourism and Hospitality Industry. New Challenges and Opportunities".

He added that Russian tourists annually spend about $ 30 billion abroad. The Russian hotel and tourism sector has significant resources and can "compete for this money." In turn, Hrant Babasyan, President of the National Union of the Hospitality Industry (OSIG), noted that given the growth of domestic tourism, it is currently important to single out three main areas: infrastructure development, staffing, promotion of regions within the country.

According to Elena Lysenkova, Head of the Department of State Tourism Projects and Tourism Safety of the Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism), during the winter holidays, many residents of the country will take advantage of the Russian tourism industry offers.

"For the New Year holidays, in most regions, three-plus – four-star hotels are booked by almost 90% throughout the country at the moment. Most ski destinations and active winter recreation are in high demand. Now a fairly large selection of offers starting from January 10 is available in all regions of the country”, she said.

"Somewhere there is a lack of high-quality infrastructure, but this is exactly what the developed national project "Tourism and hospitality industry" is aimed at, thanks to which we will be able to enjoy a large number of offers ready for demanding customers," Elena Lysenkova summed up.