In the Kostroma region guides will be issued a single certificate with QR codes

From March 1, 2027, guides of the Kostroma region will have to use identification cards of a single Russian sample. The new requirements are enshrined in amendments to the regional law on support for tourism development, adopted by the regional Duma on the initiative of Governor Sergey Sitnikov.

Now guides are required to undergo certification, be entered in a special register and have a certification card and a breastplate. At the same time, the design of cards has so far been determined at the regional level, taking into account general recommendations. From March next year, the requirements will be uniform across the country.

The new card will place a color photo of the guide, his surname, name and patronymic, as well as a unique number in the Unified Federal Register. With the help of a QR code, tourists will be able to get information about the certification of a specialist, check the territory of his work, find out what excursion services he has the right to provide and in what languages to conduct excursions. The document will also specify the regions, municipalities and national tourist routes on which the guide is authorized to work.

To approve the form of cards and organize their issuance will be the Department of economic development of the Kostroma region. At the same time, all guides do not have to change documents at the same time: new cards will be issued during the scheduled certification, which is held every five years.

Compliance with the requirements will be checked during control activities. Liability is provided not only for individuals and legal entities, but also for aggregators of tourist services, if they publish ads about guides without specifying information about the identification card.

According to the deputies, a single format of documents will help tourists check the qualifications of guides and reduce the risk of receiving low-quality services. For specialists, it will simplify the confirmation of professional status when working in different regions.