Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the development of a national project in the tourism and hospitality industry.

This was announced on Monday, November 16, by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at a cabinet meeting.

As the head of government noted, today the situation in the industry remains difficult.

Nevertheless, the development of domestic tourism is one of the priorities of the Russian authorities, the prime minister stressed.

“This industry also provides an opportunity for economic growth in regions, historical cities, rural areas, creates new jobs, including in small and medium-sized businesses, stimulates the development of more than 50 related industries.

Therefore, now it is important to pay special attention to the preparation of a national project for the development of domestic tourism, ”explained Mishustin.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, a government commission on tourism development has already been created to launch the national project with the participation of all governors and representatives of the industry's main businesses.

First of all, the authorities plan to expand measures of state support for the industry and create transparent conditions for industry participants.

Moreover, after the coronavirus pandemic, the government intends to provide opportunities for the inflow of investment in the tourism sector and back them up with the necessary guarantees.

As Chernyshenko explained, as a result, one ruble invested in budgetary investment will have to attract at least three to four rubles of private investment into the industry.

“It is planned that the implementation of this national project will ensure the growth of key indicators by at least two times by 2030.

For example, the number of domestic tourist trips will increase to 140 million per year, and the number of jobs - to almost 5 million, ”the Deputy Prime Minister added.

According to him, measures to start the implementation of the national tourism project must be launched by the summer of 2021.

  • © Alexey Danichev / RIA Novosti

Recall that in May 2018, Vladimir Putin signed a decree "On national goals and strategic objectives for the development of the Russian Federation until 2024."

The document identified 12 national projects ("Healthcare", "Demography", "Science", "Ecology", "Housing and Urban Environment", "Digital Economy", "Labor Productivity and Employment Support", "Small and Medium Enterprises" , "International Cooperation and Export", "Safe and High-Quality Roads", "Culture" and "Education"), as well as the Comprehensive Plan for the Modernization and Expansion of the Main Infrastructure.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic in July 2020, the President ordered to adjust the national projects and extend their implementation until 2030.

As part of the achievement of the goals, within ten years it is planned to increase life expectancy in Russia to 78 years, reduce the poverty level by half, achieve GDP growth rates above the world average and ensure a sustainable increase in household income.

On their shores

According to experts, the launch of a new national project will accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector from the effects of the pandemic.

Moreover, companies in the industry will be able to compensate for losses faster and keep the flow of travelers.

Pavel Sigal, the first vice president of the all-Russian public organization of small and medium-sized businesses "Support of Russia", spoke about this in an interview with RT.

“By the end of 2020, the industry may lose 1.5 trillion rubles, and up to 30% of travel companies risk leaving the market.

Therefore, the government is taking comprehensive measures to make travel within the country more affordable.

Of the decisions already made, the most effective was the initiative to return part of the money for the tour, ”said the expert.

  • RIA News

  • © Konstantin Mikhalchevsky

Recall that at the end of the summer, the Russian government launched a tourist cashback program for trips across Russia.

From 21 to 28 August, citizens could receive partial compensation for the funds spent in the amount of 5,000 to 15,000 rubles for paying for trips around the country lasting at least four nights and no less than 25,000 rubles.

According to the Federal Tourism Agency, the service was used by about 70 thousand Russians who purchased tours for 1.4 billion rubles.

In October, the authorities decided to extend the initiative until January 10, 2021, which concerns tours paid from October 15 to December 5, 2020.

At the same time, the government expanded the terms of the program.

The trip must now be at least two nights long, and there is no minimum travel cost.

The maximum refund is up to 20% of the tour cost, but not more than 20 thousand rubles.

“In the first days of the start of the second wave of cashback, operators recorded that the demand for vouchers increased by 68% compared to the same dates last year.

This dynamic signals that Russians are ready to travel around their country.

At the same time, we are in favor of continuing the action at least for the next year, "said Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), to RT.

According to the Federal Tourism Agency, in the first week since the start of the second stage of the cashback program, Russians bought tours for a total of 870 million rubles.

The average check of the trip was 38 thousand rubles.

To the sky again

According to experts, in the fall of 2020, a decrease in the cost of flights in the country had a positive impact on domestic tourism.

According to the assessment of the travel service Tutu.ru, compared to the same period in 2019, the average ticket for air tickets to key Russian destinations decreased by 18% - to 6 270 rubles.

“At the same time, there are directions for which the cost of the ticket has decreased by more than 30%.

So, now you can fly to St. Petersburg from Moscow for 2 646 rubles.

A year ago, the price of a flight was 38% higher and amounted to 4,259 rubles.

Moreover, we record a decrease in the average check for flights on New Year's holidays.

Over the year, the figure fell by 15%, to 7,321 rubles per one-way ticket, "the press service of Tutu.ru told RT.

  • RIA News

  • © Alexander Kryazhev

As follows from the materials of the Federal Air Transport Agency, in October the monthly passenger traffic of Russian carriers amounted to 6.78 million people.

Moreover, in May, domestic airlines carried only 946 thousand passengers.

Meanwhile, the launch of a national project in the field of tourism may become an additional stimulus for the growth of the number of air travel in Russia.

This point of view in a conversation with RT was expressed by the chief analyst of TeleTrade Group Mark Goikhman.

“Many related industries are concentrated in the tourism segment, such as air, rail and road transport, hotel and restaurant business, as well as construction and supply of related equipment.

Thus, the national project in the field of tourism has a positive effect on the development of related industries, which ultimately allows various regions of the country to actively replenish the regional budgets, ”Goikhman said.