The potential of ethnographic and cultural-cognitive tourism of republic was discussed in Kazan

(Kazan City KZN.RU, June 29, Kseniya Shvetsova). Tatarstan has great potential for the development of ethnographic tourism, which is only 1% in the general structure of the Russian domestic tourist traffic today. Tatarstan can radically change the situation, in recent years it has shown a record growth of tourism - in 2015 the total number of tourists reached 2.7 million people. Issues of development of ethnographic and cultural tourism were discussed today at a meeting of the Council on interethnic and interfaith relations under the President of Tatarstan, which took place in the Kremlin under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.

The meeting was attended by the State Advisor of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev, Chairman of State Council Farid Mukhametshin, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin. Also the meeting was attended by heads of the republican ministries and departments, the federal executive authorities of the Republic of Tatarstan, representatives of the Public Chamber, ethnic, cultural and religious institutions, heads of the republican and municipal museums, the Centre of folk arts and crafts Tatarstan, representatives of the tourism industry and others. The meeting was held in a videoconference format - all municipalities of the Republic and members of the public in the field were in touch with the Kremlin.

Over the last 5 years the number of tourists in Tatarstan increased by 70% - the pace of tourism development allows to compare the republic with such tourist centers of the country as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar and others. As recalled by Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan entered in the federal target program for the development of domestic and outbound tourism of the Russian Federation among the 17 regions of the country, the republic faces the task of creating a tourist-recreational clusters "Sviyazhsk" and "Great Bulgar". "According to the program of development, by 2018 it is expected to create about 270 additional jobs and increase tourist flow to 500 thousand people a year in Bulgar. Till the end of 2017 140 new jobs will be created, and the number of tourists is expected to increase up to 400 thousand people per year in Sviyazhsk", - R. Minnikhanov said.

It will be easier to achieve such figures in Tatarstan if attention will be paid to the development of ethnographic tourism, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. Its development is connected with the revival of folk crafts, ethnographic heritage and weaving them into the appropriate educational routes for travelers. For such a multinational country as Russia development of domestic tourism can and should be a factor that will strengthen the friendly ties between the people and will promote the unity of the whole country, the President said. "Our republic is one of the most attractive for tourists among the Russian regions, it has a unique cultural and ethnographic heritage, and entire villages have preserved features of traditional forms of farming. The development of ethnographic tourism will help us to preserve culture, traditions and customs", - R. Minnikhanov said. Not the last role is played by the fact that Tatarstan is a recreational area of ​​natural origin.

According to Chairman of State Committee on Tourism of RT Sergey Ivanov, the basis of domestic tourist arrivals in 2015 amounted to about 50 millions of travels in the Russian Federation, and the total turnover of the tourism industry in the state budget amounted to 18.4 billion rubles last year. Thus, the development of ethno-tourism plays a special role in the economy of any region. "Ethnographic tourism allows us to share experiences and cultural heritage with the people of other regions and countries. This is familiarity with the cuisine, traditions, creativity and life of the people living in the republic, participation in national festivals, fairs, visiting interactive programs, workshops on creating products of folk art and crafts. In this sense Tatarstan is rich republic for the development of ethnographic tourism,"- S.Ivanov said.

According to Chairman of State Committee on Tourism of RT, the most demanded tourist forms of ethnographic tourism are specialized, thematic tours, pristine villages, museums, events, festivals, participation in recreational programs. He noted that today the national, cultural and folk festivals of different peoples of Tatarstan are an integral part of the program of visits by tourists of the republic, and sometimes are the purpose of travel.

If considering events everything goes as well as possible in Tatarstan, the development of the market for souvenirs needs additional resources. S.Ivanov suggested 3 key positions to create a national brand of souvenirs: art-weaving products, leather art, and gold embroidery products. "We propose to focus on these branded souvenirs and send all the powers of state to them. And still in the understanding of many people Tatarstan souvenirs are tyubiteyka, chak-chak and kazylyk, and few people know that our region is famous for other no less expressive souvenirs, which can be a great gift,"- S.Ivanov said and stressed that the development of a market of souvenirs, a variety of projects, ethnographic tourism facilities support of the authorities and the attention of the residents themselves are needed.

Minister of Culture Airat Sibagatullin agreed with the fact that Russia is now going through ethno-tourism boom. At the same time national holidays and events play the main role, he told that, for example, traditional Spasskaya Fair in Elabuga was attended by over 52 thousand people last year, 600 artists from 80 cities of Russia and other countries have presented their products. According to the minister, it is necessary to generate ethnographic tourism routes for the development of ethno-tourism. We need to develop programs at the municipal level in order to revive certain territories of folk crafts. As an example, he recalled that a program of concessional lending, which helps the development of folk art production, works as one of the priority sector within the framework of support for small and medium businesses on the territory of Kazan.

The President, in turn, noted that issue of colorful, bright booklets and other printed products for tourists, which would tell about the history of Tatarstan, is poorly resolved in the republic. According to him, there is a need for the introduction of modern technology, as a new trend needs careful consideration. He also called on to support and promote all initiatives that will contribute to the development of ethno-tourism.

"There are a lot of active people who need initial support - to include some sites in tourist destinations, give grants and so on. These issues require initial investments, but then make generate income, - R. Minnikhanov said. - There are a lot of investors, who will help and will not remain without a piece of cake. Ethnographic tourism is a very promising area, there are many reserves for its development in Tatarstan". He added that it is planned to expand the museum part of the Kazan Kremlin to attract tourists.

President instructed heads of municipalities to support craftsmen and pay attention to cultural sites. He also instructed to organize tourist routes in municipalities, noting that viewing platforms that will allow visitors to see the sights from a height must be included in Kazan.