Named the reason for the sudden liquidation of Rostourism: the beginning of the great optimization

The Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation (Rostourism) has been abolished: by decree of President Putin, its powers are transferred to the Ministry of Economic Development. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko will continue to supervise the industry in the Russian government. For many years, Rostourism struggled to become a separate ministry, but in the end it became just one of the many links in a huge economic department. And in its bowels, the problems of tourism are at risk of getting lost. And here even the financial capabilities of the ministry will not help: the country’s leadership is clearly not up to the travel industry now.

Rostourism fought for independence for a long time, but eventually became part of the Ministry of Economic Development. The abolition, as explained at a high level, is due to the need to improve the management of tourism.

Recall that until 2004 there was no separate department that would have specialized exclusively in tourism. In 1992, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism operated in Russia. In 1999, the Ministry of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism was established. However, it lasted only until June 2000, when the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism was formed. In November 2004, for the first time in the history of Russia, a separate department was created – Rostourism. Until 2012, it was under the jurisdiction of a department of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, then these functions were transferred from department to department. Rostourism did not manage to achieve independence.

However, the current abolition of the department was a big surprise for the entire industry, Natalya Osipova, executive director of the Alliance of Travel Agencies Association, told MK. She is sure that this did not happen because the structure did not work well. Osipova recalled that Rostourism had to solve many problems due to the consequences of the pandemic. Following COVID-19, sanctions hit Russia, which also hit the tourism market. The result of all measures to save the industry was quite successful thanks to an effective crisis manager – the head of the department, the expert believes.

“All this happened when Zarina Doguzova was in charge of Rostourism. Under her leadership, many decisions were made that helped keep the industry afloat. There was a tourist cashback program, which was aimed at supporting tourists. Yes, the industry still has debts to travelers, but despite the most difficult working conditions, refunds were made and the business was able to pay off more than half of the debt, – said the interlocutor of MK. – Maybe the department was abolished because the Ministry of Economic Development has more opportunities. It follows from the presidential decree that more careful attention to sectoral issues is required. Today, tourism is one of the most important sectors of the Russian economy. Maybe someday the governing body will become a separate ministry, but not now.”

Of course, the Ministry of Economic Development has more financial opportunities and administrative resources, but here another danger arises. Will tourism, as a separate industry, be lost in the structure of such a large ministry?

“I don’t think that there were complaints against the Federal Agency for Tourism: the programs were implemented and the agency was noticeable in the media plan, which is good for promoting domestic tourism. But there are also economic tasks for the formation of development programs and projects, – says Yury Barzykin, Vice-President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT). — Of course, the potential of the Ministry of Economic Development is more significant. In the ministry, all regulatory legal acts will be passed much faster. But there is a danger of getting lost in its structure. It can be a consolation that the state programs have been adopted, approved, and budgeted.”

According to Barzykin, the main reason for what happened is not some complaints about the quality of the work of Rostourism, but a general trend towards optimizing departments and increasing the efficiency of their work. In such a global structure as the Ministry of Economic Development, all this will be less costly.

“Yes, Rostourism tried to become a ministry. But now there is no talk of increasing the number of departments. On the contrary, they are being optimized. But, objectively, a separate department is better for the industry than a subdivision in the structure of a large ministry. It is important that all functions of the agency be retained and transferred to the Ministry of Economic Development, and also that the budget not be reduced,” said the Vice President of the PCT.

The tourism industry has always wondered why it does not have its own ministry. The functions of the ministry are much broader than those of the Federal Agency, says RANEPA Professor Galina Dekhtyar.

“Now we recognize tourism as a branch of culture, then it becomes a branch of the economy, but all the same, we are talking about the fact that the state will not agree that tourism is a huge, independent industry,” the expert continues. – When we say the word “optimization”, we mean a reduction in the apparatus of officials. Most importantly, the tourism division should be led by someone from the industry who understands that domestic tourism is important. First of all, regional tourism, which requires development, stimulation and promotion.”