Ilsur Metshin: “The growing tourist flow is the result of joint efforts and consistent work"

From January to August 2019, 2.8 million tourists visited Kazan, which is 8% more than last year. Traditionally, the capital of Tatarstan enters the tops of the most popular Russian cities for leisure and gains the popularity among the foreign tourists. Such results have been achieved due to the Republican programs for improvements, which increase the appeal of the city, said Ilsur Metshin today at the Business Monday.

The Kazan Kremlin was visited by 10% more tourists than last year

The director of the Committee for tourism development Daria Sannikova told about the results of the spring-summer tourist season. According to her, the average occupancy of 2-3 stars hotels for 8 months was 56% and 67% in the 4-5 stars hotels.

Kazan international airport from January to August 2019 carried about 2.5 million passengers, which is 8% more compared to the same period last year. "Since the beginning of the year, new flights to Astrakhan and Kaluga have been introduced, and from October new flights to Yakutia, the Dominican Republic, Budapest and Harbin will be launched," said D.Sannikova.

For 8 months, 142 thousand 187 foreign citizens from 169 countries visited Kazan. Most foreign tourists came from China, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Germany and France.

Kazan was in the top 3 and top 5 popular Russian cities for visits on weekends and holidays (according to the analytical Agency TourStat and Russian booking service Tvil.ru). Also, the capital of Tatarstan is among the five most popular cities of Russia for vacation on winter holidays.

The most visited tourist sight is traditionally the Kazan Kremlin.

"The tourist flow continues to cheer us up, the city keeps people’s interest, - commented the mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin. "This is the result of joint efforts and consistent work."

The large-scale work on improvements is carried out in Kazan, it has a huge impact on the attractiveness of the city for tourists, the mayor added. "Thanks to the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, who personally controls it. Such a consistent work led by the President, yields some dividends, " the head of the city said.

"We must study the best practices of the cities"

The events that are organized jointly with the State Committee on tourism is important for the development of a tourist brand of the city, said Daria Sannikova. Among them - the Easter fair, a Night bike-fest, the wind orchestra "Fanfare Kazan" and gastro-festival "Delicious Kazan".

The largest event of this year was the WorldSkills championship, which was held in Kazan from August 22 to 27.

Residents of the city have an important role in the development of the tourist attractiveness I.Metshin noted. "The work of all bodies, including the State Committee of the Republic of Tatarstan on tourism, the Association of restaurateurs and hoteliers, our universities, which train specialists, is of great importance. And, of course, concerned citizens, bloggers, influencers who comment about Kazan –they all make a contribution, - I.Metshin said. - We must continue in the same way, we need a creative and accurate work. We are waiting for the new ideas."