Business Programme
10 June 2026 | 11:00 - 12:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Plenary Hall, 1st floor

Key Events

Plenary session Time to Travel: A Kaleidoscope of Experiences Available to All

Tourism is not a privilege. Tourism is an opportunity to take a fresh look at a country and learn more about its culture and traditions. And everyone should have this opportunity. Government support, entrepreneurial initiative, an established tourism infrastructure, and a variety of tourism products mean that travel is not something that should be put off until later: the time to travel is now. What results have the government’s support measures already achieved? Tourism Capital: How is Moscow simultaneously developing domestic and inbound tourism? Train travel: A synergy of convenience and excitement?
10 June 2026 | 13:00 - 14:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Plenary Hall, 1st floor

Product

Improving Tourism and Hospitality in Cities with High Scientific and Technological Potential: Opportunities for and the Stance of Big Business

With the support of Rosatom Energy of Development

For state corporations and big business, tourism is turning into a strategic instrument for human resources and regional development policy and a tool for strengthening Russia’s technological sovereignty. Given the growing demands of high-tech industries, a skilled workforce has become a critical resource, and the appeal of a city has become a decisive factor in the ability to attract and retain such talent. As such, tourism is becoming an effective tool for urban transformation. Cities with high scientific and technological potential also have major tourism potential (auto, nature, water-based, and cruise tourism), yet they often fail to meet the standard criteria for securing state or regional support due to logistical complexities, inconsistent tourism patterns, and other factors. It should be noted, though, that the cities that have successfully secured such support are undergoing a profound transformation and demonstrating tangible results. Today, it is crucial that all parties involved join forces to come up with systemic solutions by developing proposals for support measures, launching new initiatives, scaling up best practices, and establishing effective collaboration with government institutions.
Moderator
Head of the Rosatom Hospitable Cities Program
Speaker
President, Cosmos Hotel Group
Deputy General Director, Center for Strategic Research
Deputy Governor of the Murmansk Region
Head of the city of Sarov
Deputy Director General for Human Resources, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM
General Director, Anterra
Director of the Project Implementation Directorate, Tourism.RF Corporation
10 June 2026 | 13:00 - 14:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Conference hall 1, 1st floor

Business dialogue

Russia–India: Dialogue of Tour Operators

10 June 2026 | 13:00 - 14:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 'Kosmos', Conference Hall, 2nd floor

Key Events

Meeting of the Russian State Council’s Tourism Commission: ‘Development of Inbound Tourism, Promotion Mechanisms, and Measures to Boost Exports of Tourism Services’

The meeting will look at ways to achieve the goals of Russia’s Tourism and Hospitality National Project, specifically increasing the number of inbound tourists to 16 million people by 2030. The key objective for 2026 is to retain the inbound tourist numbers seen in 2025 and focus on further increasing this indicator. Participants will also identify additional measures and mechanisms to boost inbound tourism metrics and unlock the potential of attractive destinations. What is the current outlook for the development of inbound tourism? How are visa policies and payment systems evolving? How are international transport services organized to support the development of inbound tourism? How is human resource support structured within the hospitality industry to ensure growth in inbound tourism? What measures could enhance the effective promotion of regional tourism products globally? What new inbound tourism destinations are currently being developed? What mechanisms exist for monitoring and forecasting inbound tourism trends?
10 June 2026 | 13:00 - 14:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Conference hall 2, 3rd floor

Promotion

When Tourism Turns into Emigration: How Foreigners Visit Russia’s Regions and Stay There to Live

A popular adage warns against “confusing tourism with emigration”; yet, for most people relocating from European countries to Russia, this is exactly how their stories began – with their very first tourist visit. In recent years, a number of Russian regions have been offering relocation programmes for foreigners, ranging from ‘German villages’ and turnkey relocation packages for highly skilled professionals to opportunities to establish one’s own business or farm. Behind each relocation is an intricate chain of interactions, approvals, and challenges, starting with the initial idea and its promotion in the media to support from the state and regional authorities, public-private partnerships, and legal assistance. How and why are Russia’s regions becoming a hot spot for foreigners? What are some of the initial results of these relocation programmes, and which mechanisms for their implementation and promotion have proven most effective? What are the key ingredients to these success stories, and what lessons have been learned along the way?
Moderator
Journalist, TV and Radio Host; Author of the Show "The Most Russian American"
Speaker
Director of the Department for Social Sphere and Non-Profit Organizations Sector Development, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
General Director, ANO «Cosmos Academy of Hospitality»
Owner, ATC “Bogdarnya”
Commissioner under the Pskov Region Governor for Compatriot and Migration Affairs
Founder, Askona Life Group; Сo-founder, Gorki Business School; Author of the Dobrograd Project
Blogger; Owner, Telegram Channel "My Russia"
Director General, ATSAL; Founder, Project Ruspatriation
Front row participant
Partner, VISTA Immigration
10 June 2026 | 15:00 - 16:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Plenary Hall, 1st floor

Key Events

Snow, Bears, and Ballet: How Travel Agencies Present Russia to International Travellers

With the participation of the Visit Russia

For foreign tourists, the stereotypical image of Russia still revolves around year-round winter, bears, ballet, and the Kremlin towers. However, actual tourism offerings expanded beyond these confines a long time ago. Travel agencies draw upon familiar imagery about Russia, but infuse it with fresh content, such as trips to the country’s regions, Arctic and Siberian itineraries, gastronomic and nature tours, as well as contemporary urban culture and creative industries, thereby crafting a more complex and multifaceted image of Russia. With growing interest among tourists from China, the Persian Gulf states, and South and Southeast Asia, it is particularly crucial to understand which images of Russia truly resonate in different markets, and how we can effectively combine recognizable symbols with new content. How can we establish a long-term system of support for regional projects to ensure the programme serves as a sustainable engine of growth rather than a one-off initiative? Which formats of tourism products and services are in highest demand across key global markets and have the potential to shape a new image of Russia as a top travel destination? How can we ensure that the regional authorities and businesses effectively utilize the tools developed as part of this programme in order to boost occupancy rates, increase revenue, and enhance international awareness about Russia’s diverse territories?
Moderator
Presenter, Russia Today China
Speaker
CEO, Intourist Tour Operator
General Director, FUN&SUN Touroperator
Chairman, Committee on Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure Development, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
CEO, Beijing Romanworld International
Managing Director, Salvia Promoters Pvt Ltd.
Front row participant
Adviser to the General Director, Center for Strategic Research Foundation
10 June 2026 | 15:00 - 16:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 'Kosmos', Conference Hall, 2nd floor

Key Events

Meeting of the Organizing Committee for the 60th Anniversary of the Golden Ring Tourist Route in the Central Federal District in 2027

In 2027, Russia’s Golden Ring route will mark its 60th anniversary. The celebrations planned over the next two years require precise coordination and strategic planning at the level of an organizing committee. This session aims to come up with concrete solutions for organizing work during the pre-anniversary (2026) and anniversary (2027) years, as well as launching partnership programmes and modern initiatives that are capable of scaling up the route’s development and establishing a single Golden Ring tourism space by the anniversary date. The Organizing Committee’s meeting agenda includes the signing of agreements with partners (we have also requested the organization of a ceremonial signing procedure). What decisions need to be made as early as 2026 to ensure that the 2027 anniversary events are held at the highest level? What long-term legacy is the Organizing Committee laying the groundwork for right now and what should remain after the anniversary?
Speaker
Director, Race of Heroes
Deputy Minister Economic Development of the Russian Federation
First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow; Chairman, Tourism Committee of the City of Moscow
General Director, National Priorities
First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Government of the Russian Federation
General Director, Center for Strategic Research Foundation
Deputy CEO, Centre Technological Company
10 June 2026 | 15:00 - 16:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Conference hall 2, 3rd floor

Infrastructure

Kilometres of Impressions: How Road Infrastructure Is Driving Auto-Tourism

With the participation of the Tutu.ru, Avito Travel

Roads are emerging as a distinct segment of the tourism industry. The journey itself, including the route choice, stops in small towns, local gastronomy, and roadside services, is becoming an integral part of the overall travel experience, which travellers consciously plan to suit their own preferences. The growing number of independent travellers has increased demand for well-designed routes, intuitive navigation, safe and comfortable rest stops, services for recreational vehicles, and digital planning tools. For the regional authorities, this should be a special area of focus: developing infrastructure along key highways, establishing branded driving routes, supporting small roadside businesses, and creating new sites that extend a tourist’s stay in the region and generate additional spending.
Moderator
CEO, Libra Development
Speaker
Director, Partner Network Development, Tutu
Managing Director, Avito Travel
Marketing Director, TriA Development
President, National Association of Automobile Tourism and Caravanning; Director, Auto Tourism Committee, Russian Union of Travel Industry; Deputy Chairman, Working Group for the Development of Auto and Motorcycle Tourism, Tourism, Physical Education, and Sports Commission, State Council of the Russian Federation
Deputy Director, Russian Quality System (Roskachestvo)
Head, Design Department, Leber
Front row participant
Founder and General Director, ULISS Group, SpetsKontrolServis
10 June 2026 | 15:00 - 16:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Conference hall 1, 1st floor

Working Meeting of the Tourism Coordination Council of the Siberian Agreement Interregional Association for Economic Cooperation of the Russian Regions

10 June 2026 | 17:00 - 18:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Plenary Hall, 1st floor

Promotion

Landing Tourists: How Regions Can Enhance Tourism Potential and Attract Visitors

With the support of Yandex Travel

The number of domestic tourist trips within Russia is projected to reach 140 million by 2030. In recent years, both the government and business, as represented by key players in the travel market, have made significant efforts to stabilize tourist flows. Tax incentives have been introduced for hotels, and grants have been allocated for the development of new territories and tourism clusters. However, all these efforts have coincided with a decline in consumer spending across all economic sectors: people are cutting back on costs, particularly spending on impressions – a category that includes travel. How can we preserve and enhance the tourism potential of Russia’s regions amidst these shifting conditions? Where can regions and hotels find their target travellers, and how much will this cost the regions and hotels? What progress has already been made, where do we need to intensify our efforts, and what role should all the various players in the travel market play in this process?
Moderator
Director, Association of Travel Aggregators (ATAG)
Speaker
Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region
Deputy Minister Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Business Development Director, Yandex.Verticals
President, Russian Union of Travel Industry; General Director, National tour operator “Alean”
10 June 2026 | 17:00 - 18:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 'Kosmos', Conference Hall, 2nd floor

Promotion

The Silver Ring of Russia and Its Pearls

With the participation of the Kaliningrad Region

The regions of Northwest Russia are one of the country’s leading tourism destinations. All 11 regions of the Northwestern Federal District are part of the ‘Silver Ring of Russia’ – an interregional project dedicated to history, culture, and tourism. In 2026, there will be a presentation about the key initial results and future development prospects of the project, as well as which of its ‘pearls’ situated along the banks of the Neva River and Lake Ladoga are poised to serve as tourism growth drivers in the near term. The role of the Silver Ring Capital, an initiative spearheaded by the regions of the Northwestern Federal District, deserves particular attention in terms of its impact on the development of small towns. What economic impact could the implementation of the Silver Ring of Russia interregional project have on the regions of the Northwestern Federal District? How is the project presented by the media? What benefits has the status of Silver Ring Capital brought to the region? How does a region’s participation in the project affect its tourism economy? What are the key strategic focuses for developing tourism?
Moderator
Executive Director, Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR)
Speaker
Minister of Tourism and Entrepreneurship of the Murmansk Region
Director, Centre for Strategic Communication, Centre for Strategic Research
Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Kaliningrad region
Managing Director for Infrastructure Projects, Rostec State Corporation
Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Northwestern Federal District
Acting Director, Tourism Administration of the Republic of Karelia
10 June 2026 | 17:00 - 18:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Conference hall 2, 3rd floor

Infrastructure

Russia–Asia: Direct Flights, Simplified Visas, and the Impact on the Industry

Russia’s visa-free regime with China has dramatically boosted mutual tourism and served as a powerful catalyst for the development of tourism infrastructure, particularly in the Russian Far East. An increase in the number of direct flights and growing interest in overland routes have underscored the urgent need to modernize border crossing points, build more roadside services, and expand the number of hotel rooms and service offerings tailored specifically to Chinese tourists. However, key challenges persist: limited border crossing capacity, underdeveloped infrastructure for auto-tourism, and the need to align flight patterns with tourist demand, enhance security and support services, and intensify international cooperation – from digital services and insurance to the establishment of joint tourism offices. In such a situation, tourism is no longer just a supplementary sector; rather, it is turning into a genuine driver of investment in infrastructure, transport, and urban amenities and creating the long-term development agenda for the entire macro-region.
Moderator
Managing Partner, Khomutova & Partners Strategic Consulting Firm
Speaker
Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation in Special Projects, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Governor of Amur Region
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment and Tourism, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Front row participant
10 June 2026 | 17:00 - 18:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Conference hall 1, 1st floor

Tourist Safety on Active Routes

Meeting of the Council for the Classification of Accommodation Facilities
The Meeting of the Council for the Classification of Accommodation Facilities is a key decision-making platform that shapes hotel industry standards and determines consumer confidence. Participants will discuss proposals for improving the star rating system, complaints about accommodation facilities, and measures adopted to improve the qualifications of experts. The decisions adopted at the meeting set the strategic course for the development of the hotel accommodation sector and are aimed at improving the quality of hotel services in Russia. What are the results of regional monitoring efforts in the tourism industry? What new types of accommodation facilities should be included in the classification? Should a star system be introduced for holiday camps and campsites? If so, how should this be accomplished in practice? What changes have taken place in the training of classification experts to be in line with the new classification system?
10 June 2026 | 17:00 - 18:30
Moscow, VDNH, Pavilion 55 Roscongress, Business zone, 2nd floor

Russian regional tour operators and accommodation facilities