Service & Tourism: Current Challenges: Announcements
The international scientific-practical journal “Service & Tourism: Current Challenges” covers current trends, strategies, methodologies, and best practices in the fields of services and tourism in the Russian Federation and abroad. Key areas of publication include geographical tourism resources of regions, tourist-recreational complexes and clusters, spatial organization of tourism and hospitality, development of attractions and historical-cultural heritage sites, tourism in a multicultural environment, state regulation of the tourism sector, service economy, innovation and experience economy, prospects for the hotel and restaurant business, as well as service technologies in tourism and the hospitality industry.
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Dear colleagues, readers and visitors of the RSUTS’s Scientific Publishing Department website! Magazines HAC (Highest Attestation Commission) "Modern problems of service and tourism" and "Service in Russia and abroad", released in 2026, are available for viewing on Elibrary on a paid basis. You can purchase either a single article from the issue or an entire issue. Free versions of articles from the magazine "Modern problems of service and tourism" with texts in both Russian and English languages are available in issues since 2024 and earlier (https://elibrary.ru/contents.asp?id=67861575 ) Free versions of articles from the magazine "Service in Russia and abroad" with texts in both Russian and English languages are available in issues since 2025 and earlier (https://elibrary.ru/contents.asp?id=82927214 ) We hope this information has been useful to you. We look forward to continued cooperation with you for the promotion and development of domestic science!
New standards in the field of tourism have come into force in Russia
MOSCOW, June 1. /TASS/. Three new national standards in the field of tourism have entered into force in Russia. GOST «Tourism and related services. Accommodation facilities. General Requirements' establishes uniform requirements for means of accommodation providing temporary accommodation to tourists and services provided therein. The document covers key aspects of the performance of accommodation facilities: information security, the condition of the surrounding area, buildings and engineering networks, quality of services provided, safety and environmental protection, as well as staff requirements. "The application of the standard is voluntary, but its use allows to improve the quality and safety of services, reduce costs for development of internal regulations and take advantage of ready-made technical solutions," - noted in Rosstandart. Preliminary national standard «Tourism and related services. Recommendations for adapting tourist industry facilities to accommodate foreign tourists , in turn, covers accommodation facilities and national food facilities as well as transport logistics and tourist organizations. The document contains recommendations on adaptation of the service taking into account linguistic, cultural and everyday characteristics of foreign tourists. The standard focuses on tourists from China: from language navigation and payment convenience to food preferences, accommodation and use of digital services. The TPN [tentative national standard] is of a recommendatory nature and applied on a voluntary basis. During its operation, monitoring and feedback will be carried out for the subsequent inclusion of best practices in national regulatory documents , - told the department. GOST on glamping In addition, on 1 June the first national standard establishing requirements for glampings and the services provided therein entered into force. According to the GOST, glampings can be organized in natural areas, in rural and mountainous areas, in forests, near water reservoirs, on islands. In doing so, measures must be taken to take into account the special conditions of environmental protection, the animal and plant world, natural monuments, history and culture, archaeological sites, the preservation of a fertile soil layer, the natural habitat, The migration paths of wild animals, ensuring safety for tourists. The standard also sets out requirements for the placement and positioning of glampings, the territory of glampings, engineering support networks, information management, and the list of services provided in glampings, to staff, as well as safety and environmental protection requirements. Information source "TASS": https://tass.ru/obschestvo/27593317
The flow of tourists between Russia and China in 2026 will exceed 4 million trips - Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
The reciprocal tourist flow between Russia and China in 2026 is expected to increase by 60% compared to the previous year and will amount to 4-4.5 million trips. This was reported in an interview with TASS at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) by Nikita Kondratiev, director of the department of multilateral economic cooperation and special projects of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. «If you look at the first three to four months [of 2026], we have a total increase of 60%. Some 25% is an increase in Chinese travel to Russia, and ours - about 60%. We hope that this dynamic will continue. According to the year’s results, if in absolute figures, we calculate that there will be a reciprocal tourist flow with China 4 - 4.5 million trips», he said. The head of department noted that, as a result of the summer season, the tourist flow from China to Russia will grow by about 40-45% year on year. According to him, the number of flights between countries is growing. «If we take the number of flights carried out at the end of 2025 and now - that is already plus 30-40 flights for these three-four months. It is clear that the growing number of tourists is being provided, including by the growth of aviation. And, accordingly, new cities are being added. Siberia is now well connected, the Far East with China, not to mention Moscow and St. Petersburg. And here, our air carriers are increasing their number of flights, as well as the Chinese ones», - said Kondratyev. He also emphasized that, with sales to the Middle East halted, many Russians had shifted their focus to China. The Chinese offer a very affordable tourist product, with a good level of service. Therefore, this in principle constitutes competition, including both Thailand and Turkey, where, on the contrary, the price is very much growing, and Egypt , - added the head of the department. Information source "TASS": https://tass.ru/ekonomika/27690463 Use of the photo: www.magnific.com. The photo was designed by Magnific.
International Tourism Forum "Let's Travel!" will be held from 10 to 14 June at VDNH (Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy)
The international tourism forum "Let's Travel!" will start on June 10 at VDNH in Moscow, it will last until June 14. This is reported by the organizer of the event - Roscongress Foundation. The business programme will include over 40 events with more than 300 speakers. The central event will be the plenary session "Time to travel: diversity of travel, accessible to everyone" with the participation of the deputy prime minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and the Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov. The festival program will feature national stands from 12 countries. Among them are Belarus, Nicaragua, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Venezuela, Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Uganda and Abkhazia. There are various activities on the stands. In addition, Russian tourists will be able to get discounts and special offers on tourist products. Forum guests will have access to a mobile site guide with navigation of the stands, information about events and special offers for participants and partners. Visitors will also be able to participate in the quest, for which prizes are provided. Vice Prime Minister previously reported that the forum will also include delegations from 75 regions of Russia. This year’s event is dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, proclaimed by the decree of President Vladimir Putin - "Different cultures - common values: travel that unites people." The forum is organized by the Russian Congress together with the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation with the support of the Government of Russia. Information source "TASS": https://tass.ru/ekonomika/27710937 The image was taken from the official website of the tourist forum "Let's Travel": https://rustravelforum.com/media/news/vladimir-putin-napravil-privetstvie-uchastnikam-i-gostyam-vi-mezhdunarodnogo-turisticheskogo-foruma-/
India and Russia will hold consultations on visa-free regime for tourist groups - ambassador
India and Russia are planning to hold a new round of consultations on the visa-free regime for organized tourist groups. This was reported to "Izvestia" by the ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, Vinay Kumar. "This question needs to be discussed. We will hold consultations at the official level on this issue," said the diplomat. He clarified that e-visas for tourists to India are now free, but the visa-free regime is not yet in practice. Moscow had previously prepared a draft agreement proposing to establish visas for groups of 3 to 50 people for a maximum period of 21 days. As previously reported in the trade office of the Russian Federation in New Delhi, the tourist flow between India and Russia in 2025 reached 143 thousand trips, an increase of 15% compared to the previous year. Information source "TASS": https://tass.ru/politika/27756213 The photo was taken from the article of "TASS": https://tass.ru/politika/27756213
In the Tyumen region, an ambitious new project is planned - construction of a thermal sports and health resort "Pearl of Siberia"
The Tyumen region is starting to implement a new major project - construction of a thermal resort "Pearl of Siberia". This complex will be built on the outskirts of Tyumen - a recognized leader in thermal and therapeutic-health tourism (in the region there are 22 thermal complexes, 15 sanatorium institutions, 25 year-round outdoor pools with natural mineral water. 1.9 million people visited them in 2025), next to the ski-biathlon complex "Pearl of Siberia". On an area of 236 hectares, it is planned to create more than a dozen tourist facilities, among them: • Year-round ski trail of about 3 km; • thermal entertainment center for 2.5 thousand people; • Gallery with restaurants, shops; • sports facilities; • sanatoriums and hotels with a total of about 3,000 rooms; It is noted that all works should be completed in 2035, and the investment volume at this moment will amount to 89.2 billion rubles. It was stated that the resort could receive more than 1 million per year. person, and the construction of such a tourist complex would create about 5 thousand jobs. Information source "RST - Russian Union of Travel Industry": https://rst.ru/novosti/novosti-turizm/kurort-zhemchuzhina-sibiri-novyj-ambicioznyj-proekt-tyumenskoj-oblasti.html Use of the photo: www.magnific.com. The photo was designed by Magnific.
How tourists leave the Crimea by car after the ban on gasoline sales
On the morning of June 21, the head of Crimea Sergei Aksenov reported that from 09:00 gasoline and diesel fuel at the gas station are released only to public services, ensuring safety and security. For citizens and commercial organizations, the service is temporarily unavailable. Accordingly, this news affected the activities of accommodation facilities as most tourists arrived in Crimea by private transport. It is noted that the share of such tourists ranges from 30-40% to 70%. However, many tourists already turn to hotel representatives for information about the possibility of leaving the peninsula, but the hotel staff cannot give specific recommendations because there are no official instructions from local authorities. It is indicated that in the Crimea continues its activities, so if necessary tourists will be able to use it to return home. The presence of such a problem affects the reduction of tourist flow to Crimea. Many tourists who are planning a road trip to this tourist destination cancel previously made reservations, fearing the difficulties with refueling. Information source "Tourdom": https://www.tourdom.ru/news/kak-turistam-vyezzhat-iz-kryma-na-mashinakh-posle-zapreta-prodazhi-benzina.html Use of the photo: www.magnific.com. The photo was designed by Magnific.
The primary market of apartments and hotels in Crimea and Kuban has grown by 2.5 times since 2022
The primary market of apartments-hotels in Crimea and Krasnodar Krai has increased by 2.5 times since the end of 2022, according to a study by analysts of developers "Astrum Groups" and consulting company Macon, which is at the disposal of TASS. "Since the end of 2022, the primary market of apartments-hotels in Crimea and Krasnodar region has increased by 2.5 times. By the beginning of 2026, there are 84 complexes in both regions with a total area of 1.85 million square feet. m and number fund 43.7 thousand units", - noted in the study. According to analysts, Sochi remains the city with the largest number of projects. Its share of the total exposure of open sales numbers offered on the Black Sea coast of Russia is 35%. In second place is Anapa with 11 large objects - 21% of the total. The third position is occupied by the cluster of Evpatoria and Saki, where 14 complexes are concentrated. In them 19% of the new hotel-suite fund is built. On the south coast of Crimea there are 10 objects - only 8% of rooms. In parallel with the geographical expansion, the class of projects changes: in the structure of the offer predominates a five-star segment, which accounts for 55% of rooms, 53% of the area and 42% of all hotel apartments. Four-star hotels account for 46% of the total. Three-star complexes occupy only 12% of the market, because developers are already in the construction phase and build up developed infrastructure in hotel complexes, which automatically raises the class of hotels. Information source "TASS": https://tass.ru/ekonomika/27864623 Use of the photo: www.magnific.com. The photo was designed by Magnific. The photo was created by artificial intelligence (AI).
Expert Podolsky: the tourism industry in Russia needs about 2 million people
Some 2 million employees are needed for the functioning of tourism and hospitality industry in Russia. This was reported at a press conference in the "TASS Far East" center by the director of the Federal Resource Center for training personnel for the tourism and hospitality industry Oleg Podolsky. "Our task is to provide a signaling function for the industry, including with analytics. Now, according to various calculations, and we are the developers of a methodology for calculating human resource needs, we need about 2 million people in the tourism industry and hospitality," he said. According to him, in Khabarovsk Krai, where the first educational accelerator for tourism development was launched, about 20 thousand people are needed to work in the field of tourism. In turn, the Minister of Tourism of Khabarovsk Region Marina Yartseva noted that the accelerator is aimed at developing tourism, within which business and municipal entities can combine their efforts. "Sometimes there is a misunderstanding between business and power. Therefore, by combining the efforts of business and government, we can have a synergistic effect, we can get those additional opportunities and resources that cannot be realized individually,' she said. Yartseva emphasized that the project was made possible by the joint work of the government of Khabarovsk Region, professional competencies of the Federal Resource Center and industry expertise of RSUTS. The Minister of Tourism of Khabarovsk Territory added that the project is planned to scale up in the future, inviting participants from other regions of Russia and neighboring countries. Information resource "TASS": https://tass.ru/ekonomika/27871519 Use of the photo: www.magnific.com. The photo was designed by Magnific.
The State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation proposed to create an analogue of "Artek" on Baikal
An all-Russia children’s camp similar to "Artek" should be opened in Baikal. Such an opinion was expressed by the TASS deputy of the State Duma for the Transbaikal Region, Yuri Grigoriev ("Just Russia"). "It is not a matter when for quality rest and development our kids have to fly across the country, but for most families of Transbaikalia because of ticket prices - it’s an impossible story at all. The analogue of "Artek" in Baikal will give local children the same opportunities and emotions, but here, near home,' said the deputy. The parliamentarian pointed out that in the south of the country work "Artek" and "Orlenok", while "all Eastern Siberia remains without a comparable children’s camp status." The establishment of such a facility at Baikal, he continued, would help to develop the region’s tourist potential and create new infrastructure, jobs and investment." This is also the opportunity to receive children from friendly countries, becoming an instrument of popular diplomacy of Russia in the eastern direction", - noted Grigoriev. According to him, a key feature of such a camp could be educational shifts on the topics of ecology, limnology and climatology. Such shifts could also include the study of lake biodiversity." Such a project requires federal status and funding, as well as particularly strict environmental requirements for construction, taking into account the Baikal’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The project of this scale is beyond the scope of a single party. I call on colleagues from all parties to get involved in its development," - concluded Grigoriev. Information source "TASS": https://tass.ru/obschestvo/27880705 Use of photo "GoodFon.ru": https://www.goodfon.ru/landscapes/wallpaper-priroda-leto-baykal-5768.html
Luggage at Russian airports will now be delivered by drones
Unmanned baggage trucks will be tested at Russian airports under an experimental legal regime. The corresponding draft of the ruling of the Chamber has been prepared by the Ministry of Economic Development, according to "Vedomosti". According to the document, the trial period will last 3 years and cover 6 airports: St. Petersburg, Zhukovsky, Sochi, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. During the test, the autonomous machine will deliver luggage to aircraft without the involvement of drivers. As reported to the Ministry of Economic Development, unmanned vehicles are planned to be used not only for transporting luggage. They are also intended to be used for the clearance of airfields and aprons, as well as for patrolling airport infrastructure. One of the participants in the project will be Pulkovo. His operator has already signed a contract for up to 45 self-driving tractors. The company Cognitive Pilot confirmed participation in the tests and noted that the technique would work using a technology of "pink" artificial intelligence, allowing machines to exchange data in real time. According to the airport’s assessment, the introduction of autonomous machinery would reduce operating costs, increase labor productivity by about 25%, and accelerate baggage handling by 23%. In addition to carrying luggage, such machines could eventually perform other tasks: clear snow, mow grass, patrol the area and even transport passengers. Information source "Tourdom.ru": https://www.tourdom.ru/news/bagazh-v-rossiyskikh-aeroportakh-teper-budut-dostavlyat-bespilotniki.html Use of photo "Delovoi Peterburg": https://www.dp.ru/a/2026/06/17/pulkovo-pervim-v-rossii-vnedrit
Rospotrebnadzor explained when a tour operator can change the price of a tour
Rospotrebnadzor has clarified that the value of a tourist product can be pegged to foreign currency. However, the agency indicated: if the tourist only paid part of the amount, the total price can change due to the exchange rate only in the case when the procedure for such recalculation is written in advance, clearly and unambiguously in the contract and communicated to the consumer before its signing. The tour operator is not entitled to change the price at their discretion. If the contract does not stipulate a currency recalculation, the increase in value is illegal, clarified Rospotrebnadzor. In addition, the agency confirmed that after full payment of the tourist product, a change in the exchange rate can no longer serve as a basis for payment. In this letter, it is interesting that for the first time in a long time, Rospotrebnadzor officially confirmed the following points: • it is permissible to indicate in the contract with the tourist the price both in rubles and in notional units; • it is permissible to stipulate in the contract with the tourist that, in the case of partial payment, the full amount shall be made at the exchange rate of the unit on the date of payment. There has been a common view that the price of rubles should be fixed. And that the change of currency (even with partial payment) is an entrepreneurial risk of the travel agent/tour operator. Now these opinions will become irrelevant", - said the head of the company "Lawyers for tourism business "Baiborodin and partners" Alexander Baiborodin. At the same time, he emphasized that Rospotrebnadzor points to two restrictions, without which the condition of "additional payment on the US rate" may not work. First restriction: change of price in rubles is allowed only when the tour is not fully paid. As a general rule, paid tours are not subject to "recount". Second limitation: the order of change in rubles' price according to the exchange rate must not be arbitrary, but must be clear and known to the consumer. However, as noted by Alexander Baiborodin, there are problems with the implementation of this paragraph. According to him, it is comforting that the Rospotrebnadzor prohibits only a condition in the contract with the tourist which allows "arbitrarily" to change course. That is, the inclusion in treaties of even some very general framework for a change of course will no longer be tantamount to "arbitrariness," and thus permissible. "By the way, it is important to have a clause in the contract that the refund (full or partial) is made in rubles, based on the amount that was paid, does not depend on the exchange rate and does not increase as it grows," - added Baiborodin. According to him, in other cases there is a risk that the court may increase the tourist’s entitlement to a refund based on the rising exchange rate. Information source "Profi.Travel": https://profi.travel/news/64839/details Use of photo "Profi.Travel": https://profi.travel/news/64839/details
Russians have increasingly looked for "adults only" hotels from tour operators and aggregators
So, according to the online booking service of hotels and apartments "Ostrovok", which is provided by RST, since the beginning of the year, the number of bookings in hotels worldwide with an adults only name has increased by 13% compared to last year. Most often such hotels choose couples. "The audience of vacationers without children is quite diverse. These are couples who have no children and those who leave them at home, as well as newlyweds, friends' companies, solo travelers. Rest formats also vary. Most popular are hotels in the adults only category, followed by romantic trips, wellness resorts, spa complexes and outdoor facilities. The reasons why tourists choose a holiday without children can be different: someone cares about silence and tranquility, someone is looking for romance, others appreciate the opportunity to dedicate time to themselves after their children have grown up, and some want to find themselves in an atmosphere focused solely on adults", - reported the press service of the tour operator Let’s Fly. According to the international statistics provided by RST, the share of hotels with an expressed adults only concept is small even in developed tourist countries. They may set a different age limit, such as 13, 16, or 18 years of age. In Turkey, there are more than 200 such hotels, which is 1% of the total number of certified hotels - over 20 thousand. About the same in Vietnam, in Egypt - about 30-40 hotels, in UAE, as well as in Maldives, 10-15. "In Russia, according to experts and aggregators, there are 5-10 hotels with such labeling. Although the offer of adults only hotels even abroad is still small, it is possible to get this option of rest in hotels without age restrictions. According to the service "Ostrovok", many family hotels abroad implement zoning, providing special spaces for adults - from lounges to individual swimming pools with an expanded range of services. This makes it possible to simultaneously consider the needs of families with children and guests who are looking for a more peaceful atmosphere," they note in the association. Information source "Interfax Russia": https://www.interfax-russia.ru/tourism/news/rossiyane-stali-chashche-iskat-oteli-tolko-dlya-vzroslyh-u-turoperatorov-i-agregatorov Use of photo "Coral Travel": https://www.coral.ru/main/hotels/adults-only/
Starting from September 1, tourists will receive more information when buying package tours
Starting from September 1, 2026, new rules for the provision of services for the sale of a tourist product will come into force in Russia, according to which tourists will be informed in more detail about possible risks and features of the country of rest, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reported on Wednesday. One of the notable changes concerns the amount of information that a tour operator or travel agent is required to provide before signing a contract. In addition to information about the travel route, hotel, program of stay, transport and meals, the tourist should receive information about the rules of entry and stay in the country, customs requirements, medical and sanitary-epidemiological rules, possible security threats, national, religious and cultural characteristics of the country. In addition, a new clause has been added to the rules on the need to inform tourists about other circumstances and risks associated with a particular tourist product. According to ATOR, travel companies, taking into account the new rules, will have to update information memos for tourists, supplementing them with information about local laws, customs and other features of the host countries. When selling a tour at the office, tourists can now be asked to confirm separately that they have read the country information and other important information about the trip. And when buying online, companies are likely to use electronic confirmation that the tourist is familiar with the rules of entry, medical requirements and travel conditions. Information source "Interfax Russia": https://www.interfax-russia.ru/tourism/news/turisty-s-1-sentyabrya-budut-poluchat-bolshe-informacii-pri-pokupke-paketnyh-turov Use of photo www.magnific.com
Morocco is an Important Partner of Russia in Africa
MOSCOW, July 30. /TASS/. The Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko congratulated the Speaker of the House of Councillors of Morocco, Mohamed Ould Rachid, on the national holiday – Throne Day – noting that Russia considers the Kingdom as an important partner. “On behalf of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and personally, I congratulate you on the national holiday of the Kingdom of Morocco – Throne Day,” the congratulatory message reads. According to Matvienko, Russia regards Morocco “as an important partner on the African continent” and is ready “to fully assist in creating favourable conditions for the advancement of Russian-Moroccan relations of advanced strategic partnership.” “Given the importance of further developing the dialogue between the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco, we confirm our readiness to receive you for an official visit to the Russian Federation, should it be convenient for the Moroccan side, in November–December 2026. Specific dates can be agreed through diplomatic channels. I am confident that your visit to the Russian Federation will contribute to intensifying the entire range of bilateral relations in the interests of the peoples of our countries,” she wrote. On July 30, the Kingdom of Morocco celebrates Throne Day. On this day in 1999, King Mohammed VI ascended the throne. Photo courtesy of wirestock on Magnific.