Chinese tour operators delegation was received in Krasnodar

In Kuban capital administration the meeting of Krasnodar Region tourism industry representatives and Chinese guests was led by Resorts and Tourism Minister of Kuban Eugene Kudelya and director of the department of economic development, investments and external affairs of municipal administration Elena Vasilchenko.

— The aim of our communication is to understand the prospects for the development of economically viable projects of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the sphere of tourist industry, — Eugene Kudelya underlined.

Besides heads of three biggest tour operators of China: “Pacific Ocean”, “Alfa” and “Megalan-M” the meeting was participated by delegates of P.R.China State Tourism Department, correspondents and chiefs of mass media agencies. The Russian party included heads of more than ten tour companies and hotel complexes.

Elena Vasilchenko briefly told guests about the history of Krasnodar and Karlsruhe sister city relations development beginning from 2008. She emphasized that at the territory of Krasnodar there are over 400 tourist facilities and more than 240 hotels. In the recent time there is very intensive development of event business tourism. Particularly, during a year the capital of Kuban hosts over 20 big international exhibitions and forums.

— China is seeking to expand its relations with Russia in the sphere of tourism. As things stand now only two destinations — Moscow and St. Petersburg are enormously popular with the Chinese tourists. All the members of the present delegation came to Krasnodar Region for the first time. We are ready actively to promote the possibilities of recreation and travelling around the south of Russia among residents of our country, — head of the guest delegation said. 

— Earlier we have sent our tourists to China through Moscow representation of “Megalan-M” Company representatives of which are now present at the meeting. But now the situation has changed, — founder of “La-Tour” Company Alexander Lazarev underlined.

Krasnodar tour operators made a point that on the basis of experience accumulated during receiving visitors of Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi and examining the needs of the guests from China they have prepared a range of tourist programmes focused not only on Krasnodar but also on recreation in Sochi and the Republic of Adygeya. Now just three-five groups visit Krasnodar a year, whilst the desired result is up to two-three hundred groups.

Helena Akinshina from Tourism Association “Sochi Planet” remarked – pointers, information guides, restaurants’ menu cards and even TV-channel in Chinese have already appeared in a number of hotels of the Black Sea coast.

The Chinese party representatives consider the visa regime facilitation as a good incentive to raise the popularity of such tours around China as “The Silk Road”, “Panda”, “Tibet” and others.

Both parties expressed their desire to extend a range of reliable and bona fide partners to formulate common strategy for the permanent exchange of tourists.

During the reception guests of Kuban capital were presented memorial gifts. Then Chinese tour operators went for excursion “Get acquainted – Krasnodar!” One day visit programme also included attending a concert of the collectives of Krasnodar State Philharmonics of Ponomarenko.  

Information tour in Krasnodar Region for representatives of Chinese travel companies and mass media takes place from 11 to 15 April. It was organized by association “World without borders” with the assistance of P.R.China State Tourism Department together with representation of Russian tourist office “Visit Russia” in Beijing (P.R.China), Krasnodar Region Ministry for Resorts, Tourism and Olympic Heritage, mountain climate resort “Rosa Khutor” and Center of wine tourism “Abrau-Durso”.