The Belarusian-Russian Tourism Congress in Minsk gathered nearly 800 representatives from government bodies, the Russian Embassy, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the tourism industries of both countries (including major federal tour operators, leading online systems in the tourism and hospitality sectors), the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, business associations (including "Turpomosch" and the National Union of Professionals in the Tourism Industry), and major Russian companies such as Cosmos Hotel Group, Vasta Discovery, and the Rosa Khutor mountain resort. The main topic of the congress was promising areas for interaction within the tourism business community. Dmitry Vakhrushev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, emphasized the steady growth of mutual Russian-Belarusian tourist flow, which reached a record six million people in 2024, representing a 15 percent increase. Natalia Kostenko, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure Development of the Russian Federation, noted the importance of creating joint tourism products that could become a competitive advantage in the international arena, adding that Russia and Belarus should join efforts to promote these projects.
Sergey Khvorostyany, Deputy General Director for International Relations and Tourism at the Rosa Khutor mountain resort, shared the experience of the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts (EAMR). Established in 2023, this public organization puts forward initiatives aimed at the joint development of tourism and currently unites six leading mountain resorts in Eurasia: Russia's Rosa Khutor, Amirsoy from Uzbekistan, Shahdag from Azerbaijan, Shymbulak and Oi-Qaragai from Kazakhstan, and Mona Yongpyong Resort from South Korea. The Alliance offers practical formats for interaction – from a corporate university to professional competitions and experience exchange. Within the framework of the organization's activities, mountain resort festivals were held in Russia and Azerbaijan, instructor competitions took place, and working visits for experience exchange in hotel and restaurant services were organized.
"Belarusian resorts, such as Silichi and Logoisk, could become part of the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts. This would give them the opportunity to promote themselves in the Eurasian space, participate in joint events, and receive mentions on Russian websites and in a common calendar of events, as participants from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Russia already do. This is not about competition, but about creating a unified allied tourism product. The mountains in Belarus are not high, but this does not hinder the development of year-round mountain resorts – this is precisely what all members of the alliance are striving for now. Tourists travel for experiences: today they can relax at Rosa Khutor, tomorrow – in Belarus, enjoying the nature, cuisine, and hospitality," stated Sergey Khvorostyany, Deputy General Director for International Relations and Tourism at the Rosa Khutor mountain resort.
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