The government’s forecast for Russia’s tourism growth in 2024 hinges on a substantial uplift in travel activity, with officials suggesting an increase on the scale of millions of additional tours. The projection was shared by Maxim Reshetnikov, the Minister of Economic Development, during a session of the government commission focused on promoting tourism across the federation, held within the framework of the national “Russia” exhibition forum. The update was reported by RIA News.
Reshetnikov explained that this surge in tourist trips would be achievable thanks to a unified subsidy mechanism for regional development. By consolidating four existing subsidies under the national project into a single, streamlined subsidy, the state aims to grant regions more autonomy in how they allocate funds. This approach, he noted, is designed to incentivize local authorities to pursue targeted improvements in attractions and infrastructure that draw visitors. According to the minister, regional governments have committed to increasing the number of tourist trips by 11 million this year, a figure he quantified as an investment of approximately 6.2 billion rubles.
Looking ahead, Reshetnikov added that regional programs must be submitted by February 15 to the Ministry of Economic Development. These programs will outline concrete activities under the new subsidy mechanism, detailing how funds will be used to boost tourism potential in each region and align with the national development goals for the sector.
During the plenary session of the International Exhibition and Tourism Day, Deputy Chairwoman of the Federation Council Inna Svyatenko proposed exploring new program initiatives aimed at expanding access to family holidays. The goal is to broaden opportunities for families to plan and enjoy time off together, underscoring a policy focus on inclusive tourism and domestic leisure options.
In a lighter historical aside, the record notes an instance on the Kuril Islands where a bear reportedly stole a bowl of soup from a tourist camp. Such anecdotes reflect the remote and sometimes unpredictable nature of travel in some regions, underscoring the broader point that infrastructure, safety, and wildlife management are all integral parts of developing a robust tourism sector across diverse Russian landscapes.