The 6th Sustainable Development Forum – a satellite event of the ‘Let’s Travel!’ International Tourism Forum – featured a business breakfast titled ‘Land of Impressions: Partnerships between Business and Government to Create a Unique Tourism and Investment Experience’. The event proved to be an important platform for dialogue between government officials, business representatives, and the expert community on the prospects for developing the tourism sector in the Russian Far East and ways to attract investments to the region.

Kamchatka is currently experiencing a boom in interest as a tourist destination. Its pristine nature, volcanoes, thermal springs, and rich fauna attract an increasing number of travellers from across Russia and around the world. However, to fully realize the region’s potential and transform it into a leading tourist destination requires systematic work to develop infrastructure, improve services, and build effective mechanisms for interaction between business and government.

The key goal of the business breakfast was to showcase real-world examples of successful infrastructure transformation and effective public-private partnerships to potential investors to encourage them to invest in the development of the Russian Far East. Participants had the opportunity to see firsthand how the joint efforts of government and business can transform a region and create attractive conditions for tourists and entrepreneurs.

One of the most vivid examples of this is the modernization of Yelizovo Airport, where targeted investments and stellar management have turned it into a cutting-edge facility and a full-fledged modern tourism cluster. It has become more than a transportation hub, serving as a focal point for visitors to the region: comfy waiting areas, gift shops, cafés serving local fare, information centres, and other services have appeared, making travel more convenient and memorable. The airport project has become a model for infrastructure transformation in Kamchatka and the entire Russian Far East.

During the event, participants discussed a range of pressing issues that determine the future of tourism in the region. Specifically, the discussion focused on how infrastructure investments are changing the tourism landscape of the Russian Far East and which projects have the greatest impact on the attractiveness of the territories for travellers.

Another important topic was the creation of a one-stop-shop of services for independent travellers – from transfers to accommodation, excursions, and gastronomy. Today, many tourists prefer to plan their trips themselves. To make their stay in the region as comfortable as possible, it is necessary to ensure the smooth operation of all parts of the tourism infrastructure. Participants also discussed the steps that have already been taken in this area and what still needs to be done.

Much of the discussion was given over to barriers that hinder investment in tourism. These include logistics problems, the shortage of qualified tourism industry workers, the less-than-perfect regulatory framework, and other factors. Experts put forward specific solutions to overcome these obstacles and shared examples of successful cases implemented in Russia and abroad.

The final part of the discussion focused on international experience. Participants explored international practices that could be adapted for Kamchatka and other Russian regions to scale up successful models and take tourism to the next level.

The meeting was moderated by Vice President of the Federation of Restauranteurs and Hoteliers of Russia Vadim Prasov. Among those invited to speak were State Secretary and Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic Anton Basansky, Chairperson of the Government of Kamchatka Territory Yulia Morozova, and Minister of Tourism of Kamchatka Territory Vladimir Rusanov.

The event gave participants the opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss current issues in the tourism industry with leading experts and government officials, establish new business contacts, and identify areas for further cooperation.