With the information support of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the SCO Secretariat, a conference on “Opportunities to expand the geography of cross-border tourist trips within the territories of the SCO member states” was held in Moscow. The expert discussion was held at the initiative of the Tourism Association “World without Borders”.
Representatives of the authorities and tourism business of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries summed up the interim results of the Year of Tourism in the SCO, discussed issues of expanding the geography of cross-border tourist trips, training, improving the quality of services and safety in the field of tourism, popularization and activation of all-season mountain tourism, preservation and mutual popularization of the natural and cultural heritage of the SCO countries.
“We see how the total tourist flow of Russia with the SCO countries is gradually growing,” said Evgenia Tremblers, Deputy Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development. – In 2022, more than 6 million trips were recorded, which is three times more than the previous year. It is obvious that the positive trend will continue by the end of this year. In the three quarters of 2023, the total flow of Russian tourists to the SCO countries and tourists from the countries of the association to Russia amounted to more than 7 million trips.”
Among the factors contributing to the increase in the volume of tourist exchanges, the representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia named a favorable visa regime and the availability of direct flights between the SCO countries. However, the potential of mutual tourist trips, according to her, is still not sufficiently disclosed.
“It is important for each of the players in the SCO tourism market to adapt to the realities of a rapidly changing world,” said Evgenia Shivering. “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries have in their arsenal a number of national and cross–border tourism solutions and a wide range of tools to increase mutual tourist flow.”
