Smolensk hosted the VII International Scientific and Practical Conference "Tourism and Regional Development"

The VII International Scientific and Practical Conference "Tourism and Regional Development" began its work in Smolensk. The scientists and representatives of the tourism industry from Moscow, Tver, Bryansk, and the Republic of Belarus came together to discuss the challenges the tourism industry in the region is facing, to suggest their solutions. On behalf of Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy, the Deputy Head of the region Nikolai Kuznetsov welcomed the participants.

Addressing the conference participants, among whom there were a great number of those who will determine the future of the tourism sector – the students majoring in the relevant disciplines, the Vice-Governor said that the forum can become a platform for the developing the concept of tourism development unified for Russian, as well as considering its regional aspect. "I wish you success in your work and the full realization of the ideas that will be presented by the conference participants. I'm sure it will stimulate the understanding of our opportunities in tourism", - said Nikolai Kuznetsov to the participants.

The international project "Tourism and Regional Development" has been carried out since 2000. The organizers of the Scientific and Practical Forum are the Administration of Smolensk region, the European Association of Educational Institutions in the field of tourism, the International Tourism Academy, the Russian Geographical Society, The Russian Research Institute for Cultural and Natural Heritage named after D.S. Likhachev, Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Smolensk Humanitarian University.

At the conference, in addition to the plenary session, there are discussion platforms, "round tables", the presentation of the first issue of the scientific journal "Country studies. Recreation. Tourism". It is expected that the Forum participants will discuss the theoretical and methodological aspects of the recreation and tourism studies, the state of the global tourism market and Russia’s position on it, as well as the regional experience of organizing tourism and recreation activities. In addition, among the topics on the conference program there are the current problems and prospects of the tourism industry, the development of innovative projects in tourism.