Representatives of over 50 Russian regions gather in Novosibirsk for the Dikorosy Forum

The Dikorosy Forum has brought together representatives from more than 50 regions of Russia in Novosibirsk. Governor Andrei Travnikov took part in the plenary session entitled “Discovering Russia Together: Tourism and Hospitality in the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia” at the Dikorosy Siberian Hospitality Forum. The session was moderated by Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia.

Welcoming participants, Governor of Novosibirsk Region Andrei Travnikov noted: “The Dikorosy Forum has become a well-established tradition for the Novosibirsk Region, and this year, thanks to the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, it is being held as part of the ‘Let’s Travel!’ International Tourism Forum. Another event of ours this week, already well loved by Novosibirsk residents and guests, is the ‘V Sibiri – Est!’ (‘Siberia is the Place to Eat!) gastro-festival. We have a packed programme over the next four days. 

The Dikorosy Forum is the main unifying business event of these days. Novosibirsk is the best place for business discussions on developing the tourist appeal of Russia’s regions. We consider the tourism sector an important part of our regional economy. We systematically support inbound tourism, engage with industry representatives – travel agencies and tour operators – to develop outbound tourism. We are building a transport hub, both cargo and passenger, creating conditions for residents across all of Siberia to depart and travel through us in a wide range of directions. According to official Rosstat statistics, our region ranks first in Siberia for tourist flow. Over the past three years, more than three million guests have visited us annually, and this year, based on first-half results, we are seeing further growth. That said, we have not stopped developing outbound tourism: it remains an area of interest for us. But of course, we have placed greater emphasis on attracting visitors to the region. 

We are still at the very beginning of this journey, and the advice of experts and professionals will be valuable to us. It is very pleasing that such a large community of industry representatives, spanning its many different directions, has gathered at the Forum. The dialogue will not be limited to a single region – the Novosibirsk Region – but will address the issues and prospects for tourism development across the country as a whole,” Andrei Travnikov said.

The capacity of the tourism services market is growing in part because Siberians are not trying to set themselves apart from one another, but are instead willing to develop interregional and inter-municipal routes together. For example, provisions are made so that visitors flying into Novosibirsk and spending a couple days there can go on to visit other areas of the Novosibirsk Region or travel beyond it to Altai, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk Region, or Kemerovo Region. This is why the theme being discussed by Dikorosy Forum participants today is relevant to each of our country’s 89 regions. The Novosibirsk Region is a major business and industrial centre with a uniquely diverse natural environment, a rich cultural heritage, and distinctive Siberian hospitality. Regional authorities face the task of unlocking the region’s tourism potential for both Russian residents and foreign guests, showing that Siberia is capable of surprising, inspiring, and delivering unforgettable experiences.

The geography of Forum participants, spanning more than 50 Russian regions, confirms that we are united by a common goal: to make holidays in our country comfortable, interesting, and accessible. The Dikorosy Forum is a networking event of the Roscongress Foundation’s ‘Let’s Travel!’ International Tourism Forum, held in Moscow on the grounds of VDNH. This year, the Forum brought together more than 510,000 people at the venue. 

Dikorosy is both a business platform and a powerful tool for promoting domestic tourism. It is here that new routes are conceived, promising directions are discussed from ethno-tourism to the introduction of modern technologies in hospitality and the image of Siberia as a magnet for travellers takes shape.