The Ministry of Economy estimated the potential of tourism in Russia at 140 million trips by 2030

The potential of tourism in Russia is 140 million trips by 2030, 53 million of which will be made for the first time, a representative of the Ministry of Economic Development (the department oversees the industry) told reporters. The assessment was announced during the strategic session on the industry development strategy and formed together with business and working groups under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

According to the forecasts of the Ministry of Economy, the contribution of tourism to the country’s GDP will increase to 4.5% by 2030. In March of this year, Chernyshenko noted that the share of tourism in Russia’s GDP is 2.6%. It is assumed that each ruble invested in the industry will bring more than 3 rubles. private investment and 12 rubles. added value. For the economy, this is 2 trillion rubles. investments, specified in the Ministry of Economics.

Today, the key indicators of the industry have exceeded the level of 2019, business revenue has increased by 1.5 times, a representative of the ministry said. Demand for tourism product showed an increase of 17% in the first six months of 2023.

The Ministry of Economics also named priority areas for the development of the industry. The list included an increase in the number of rooms. “Now we have over a thousand numbers with an average annual occupancy of 39%. Although in popular points of attraction and during the season, the load is maximum. The current number of rooms accepts 73 million tourists, ”said the representative of the department. If it is modernized taking into account new points of attraction and the development of year-round infrastructure, then by 2030 hotels will be able to receive an additional 21 million tourists. To realize the potential, the zeroing of VAT for hotels has been extended, concessional lending has been provided, and funding sources have been identified, including an increased duty on imported wine. In July, the government decided to increase duties on the import of wine from unfriendly countries from 12.5% ​​to 20% (but not less than $1.5 per liter),

The Ministry of Economics also sees room for a five-fold increase in demand for theme parks – now they are visited by only 2% of the population. Three times it is possible to increase the flow to ski resorts, which are currently used by 3-4% of Russians.

The analysis of the ministry also touched upon the staffing of the industry. More than 1 million people are currently employed in tourism, and by 2030 an additional 400,000 employees will be needed, the spokesman said. To attract them, the department proposed to include corporate programs in state support for employment promotion of the Ministry of Labor and send profile students to practice from the first or second year, with mandatory employment and payment of salaries. The key issue in this area is low wages in the hotel sector, which is 58% of the national average – 37,000 rubles, the Ministry of Economics specified.

The ministry proposes to solve the issue with personnel with the help of benefits – for example, it is possible to extend the experiment to reduce insurance premiums in public catering to hotels, with employers’ counter obligations to whitewash and raise wages.