Leningrad region offers Belarus to form joint tourism products with visits to enterprises

The Leningrad region offers Belarus to form joint tourist products with visits to enterprises. This initiative was made by the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Leningrad Region Anastasia Mikhalchenko in Minsk at the round table meeting “Industrial tourism as an instrument of international cooperation: experience and practices of the Leningrad region and the Republic of Belarus”.

Anastasia Mikhalchenko is the developer of the Cool Location regional project aimed at creating an ecosystem of industrial travel. The essence of the program is to develop combined tourist routes that harmoniously combine visits to existing factories with inspection of historical, cultural and natural attractions, as well as acquaintance with local gastronomy.

The delegations of the Leningrad region are interested in Belarus’ achievements in this area. Guests have already been on some excursions. A round table meeting was held, where participants were able to exchange views and contacts for further cooperation. Tomorrow, September 30, an acquaintance with Belaz is planned.

“Such excursions are interesting not only for children, but also for business trips. We see prospects in creating a joint tourism product not only for our citizens, but also for tourists from other countries, such as China, India and Vietnam. Here you can join forces, said Anastasia Mikhalchenko, adding that industrial tourism has long gone beyond the usual excursions “to see how the plant works”. It connects together several components - from career guidance to product promotion, image of the region, investments.

The Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Leningrad region noted increased interest in the event. He was joined by business leaders, tour operators. The main task of the round table is for all participants to outline plans for the future. Following the discussion, all proposals and recommendations of the organizers of the meeting will be taken into account.

“It is important for us to eliminate existing barriers, work together to increase tourist flows,” said Anastasia Mikhalchenko.

The Leningrad region overcame the mark of 10 million travelers a year. According to this indicator, the region ranks fifth in Russia, offering various activities. Next year, a round table on industrial tourism is proposed to be held in the Leningrad region.

“We have a lot to learn from you, and we will be glad if a delegation from Belarus will come to us to exchange experience,” added Anastasia Mikhalchenko.

At the meeting, successful cases of the Leningrad region and the Republic of Belarus, promotion of the company brand through excursions, opportunities for interregional cooperation, models of effective interaction between business, government and tour operators were discussed.

The round table was held during the visit of the delegation of the Leningrad region headed by Governor Alexander Drozdenko.

The event was organized by the Committee on External Relations of the Leningrad Region and the National Tourism Agency.