On April 29th, 2016 the plenary session of forum on new tourist products of host-cities for the FIFA World Cup 2018 was held.
30 April 2016
On April 29
th, 2016 by representatives of "Passenger Port of Saint Petersburg "Marine Façade" PLC took part in the plenary session of presentations forum on new tourist products of host-cities for the FIFA World Cup 2018 (hereinafter – 2018 World Cup), which was held in the building of Leningrad region Government.
The forum was organized as a response to First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov directives on the creation of tourist routes and the expansion of the territorial range of tourist routes in Russia for high school students and youth, including those in the cities-organizers of the 2018 World Cup.
The event was attended by representatives of the Russian Federation Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Sport, ANO "Organizing Committee of World Cup 2018", leading representatives of the Federal Agency for Tourism, Russian Union of Travel Industry, the Russian Hotel Association, largest federal and regional tour operators, experts and professionals.
Opening remarks were made by the Deputy Minister of Culture Alla Manilova, who noted a unique opportunity for the development of tourism in Russia, which is now possible because of upcoming "mega-event" - 2018 World Cup.
Tour operators of all regions involved in the reception of Russian and foreign football fans are ready to offer 200 new and unique tourist destinations. Creative approach to the development of new tourist products, fresh ideas and innovative approaches will not only provide an interesting pastime of football fans, but also to build capacity in these regions to attract additional tourist traffic in the future.
A report on the possibilities of Russian subjects for the 2018 World Cup was made by Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Tourism Sergey Korneyev. He reported on the ongoing work to develop a single marketing plan based on the proposals of the regions that is needed to develop tourist industry of our country, taking into account the unique global event of 2018 World Cup. Taking into account the start of ticket sales for the 2018 World Cup, stakeholders of the industry are now able to attract tourists, conducting an active promotion campaign.
Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee of St. Petersburg, Viktor Kononov gave a speech and noted that the city is ready to receive football fans in 2018. He mentioned that on the base of city tourist information points special tourist support centers will be created as well as the hotline. He reminded of the leading role of St. Petersburg in “birth” of Russian football. As many residents of our city, he is a fan of FC "Zenit", and he feels that there is an important place for this football club in the life of citizens. Also the Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee said that a special tourist route "Football Petersburg" will be created for football fans from other countries and visitors from other parts of our country which includes trip to football stadiums and training facilities of the city.
During the plenary session a presentation of tourist products of 11 cities hosting 2018 World Cup was held: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Kaliningrad, Sochi, Saransk, as well as a discussion on marketing regional strategies, tools of promotion of 2018 World Cup tourist products on home and foreign markets.
Note that Passenger Port of Saint Petersburg is also one of points of the 2018 World Cup routes. The reception and information support of football fans, arriving in St. Petersburg on board the cruise and ferry vessels within the 72-hour visa-free entry will be organized at the Port.
