The Travel Industry Union asks for the return of subsidies for tourist charters in the Russian Federation

The Travel Industry Union asks for the return of subsidies for tourist charters in the Russian Federation

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Tour operators are asking for at least a partial return of subsidies for tourist charters in Russia, said Dmitry Gorin, vice-president of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry, at a strategic session in the State Duma on transport. According to the expert, the program needs to be resumed at least in those regions where there is a lack of air travel. A representative of the Ministry of Economy at the meeting said that the charter program for Russia is losing relevance.

“Tour operators are asking to consider the return of the subsidy program for charter regular tourist flights… This could allow for rare routes where there is not much available air travel to reduce the cost,” said Mr. Gorin (quoted by RIA Novosti).

As an example, the expert cited a tourist package to Lake Baikal or Primorye. During the program, it cost 35–40 thousand rubles. per person, including flights, now – 80-90 thousand rubles. Honorary President of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry Sergei Shpilko supported his colleague. He noted that “charter programs are the key to opening up new regions on the geographical map of Russia and the world in the future.” According to the expert, the rise of tourism in Dagestan, Tyumen and Murmansk was to some extent due to these programs.

Director of the Department for Implementation of Projects in the Sphere of Tourism Activities of the Ministry of Economy Vladimir Trach noted that the discussion on this matter has been going on for a long time. According to the department, “stimulating demand is a measure that has not only moved aside, but is losing relevance given the increased demand for tourism products.”

The program of tourist charters to Russian regions has been in effect since 2021. It involved subsidizing half the cost of chartering the aircraft. In 2023, the Ministry of Economy reported that there were no plans to resume the program due to the absence of problems with flight loads.

Leonid Uvarchev

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