International touristic forum is taking place in Smolensk

«To sources of Russia» – such name has International touristic forum that was opened today in Smolensk. Representatives of World touristic organization, Federal agency for tourism, Standing Committee of the Union state, Administration of Smolensk region, Russian and Belorussian touristic companies participate in it.

Exposition that presented touristic routes and historico-cultural places of Smolensk, Pskov, Novgorod, Kaluga and Vitebsk is working for participants of forum. Alexander Sirchenko – Head of development agency of domestic tourism and state touristic projects of Federal agency for tourism accentuated all importance of conducting of this forum in Smolensk: «Conducting of forum is a continuation of Federal Target Program «Development of domestic and international tourism in the Russian Federation for 2011-2018. Dialogues with foreign representatives  allow us to find new ways of touristic development, new forms of cooperation and for Smolensk it means an opportunity to  attract not only Russian but also foreign tourists».

Christopher Imbsen – Deputy of regional Director in Europe of World touristic organization told about significance of Russia on world touristic market: «There are not many countries in the World which can be in competition with Russia in cultural and historical wealth. Russia has the great touristi cpotential».

Within the framework of the forum will be organized a project launch of international tour itinerary «To sources of Russia»: Smolensk (Talashkino, Novospasskoje) – Vitebsk – Polotsk – Pushkin's mountains – Pskov (Izborsk, Pechory) –Veliky Novgorod. It must become one of the more popular tour itineraries like the Golden and Silver Ring of Russia.

Participants of forum will discuss problems of domestic and incoming tourism, advancement of domestic regional touristic product on Russian and foreign markets and also international cooperation in touristic area.