Travelers heading to St. Petersburg from other regions represent a significant 40 percent share of the overall tourist influx. In the city’s own words, this is a strong signal of interest and familiarity with the destination. The tourism development team, led by the City Tourist Information Bureau, emphasizes that while classic sights remain compelling, the routes also feature newer corners of the region to continually refresh visitor experiences.
According to Yuri Bogdanov, the General Director of the City Tourist Information Bureau within the Tourism Development Committee, this high level of inbound tourism underscores the city’s appeal. He notes that the strategy hinges on balancing well-loved landmarks with fresh venues, ensuring that repeat visitors always find something novel to explore and share with friends and colleagues.
St. Petersburg’s official channels relay Bogdanov’s message that the goal is to invite travelers to return repeatedly. The approach combines the timeless essence of the city with new geographic points of interest, weaving them into routes that resonate with diverse interests and enhance the overall travel experience. This plan is backed by the city administration and implemented through coordinated campaigns and partnerships.
The recent study tour occurred from November 20 to 24 and involved 16 regional tour operators. The primary objective was to fortify connections with hospitality professionals in the Northern capital, shaping stronger collaboration that can lift tourist flows. Across the week, more than 250 meetings were conducted, reflecting a high level of engagement and mutual planning among industry stakeholders.
Representatives from regional operators visited both flagship and emerging attractions, gaining insights into the local tourism ecosystem. The participants also looked at how St. Petersburg’s hospitality sector – including hotels and related services – can cooperate more effectively with tour operators to deliver cohesive, high-quality experiences for visitors.
Introductory tours for tourism professionals were organized by the Tourism Development Committee, the City Tourist Information Bureau, and the extensive promotional program titled “St. Welcome to St. Petersburg!” This initiative is part of a wider information campaign designed to showcase the city’s diverse offerings and to support collaboration within the industry.
The northern capital’s administration stresses that the ongoing advancement of the tourism sector aligns with directives from the Russian president and with the national project focused on Tourism and Hospitality Industry. This alignment signals a clear, strategic pathway for developing the city as a premier destination while reinforcing the sector’s role in regional growth.
Under the national project, it is anticipated that domestic travel within the country will reach substantial levels by 2030. The projection of roughly 140 million domestic trips aims to stimulate broader economic growth through the multiplier effects generated by a thriving tourism sector, including employment, service diversification, and regional development.