The press service of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation reported on the results of the meeting of the ministers of tourism of the BRICS countries in Cape Town. The head of the Russian department, Maxim Reshetnikov, outlined the tourism priorities of Russia's BRICS chairmanship in 2024. These include the preparation of a single tourism product for the countries of the association, harmonization of tourism sector standards, and development of joint digital solutions for a comfortable stay for tourists.
Reshetnikov also said that Russia has created all the conditions for a comfortable and safe stay for foreign tourists. More than seven thousand hotels of different star categories are already available in different parts of the country. In addition, in the near future it is planned to put into operation more than 30 thousand rooms thanks to the program for the construction of modular hotels and preferential lending for hotel construction.
According to the minister, this will increase the flow of tourists from the BRICS countries to Russia. Already next year it could reach more than 2 million trips. Reshetnikov noted the need to create convenient connecting flights between Russia, Brazil and South Africa.
During the meeting, participants got acquainted with the national strategies and policy instruments of each of the five countries in order to identify the potential for further cooperation in the field of tourism and deepen cooperation.
The press service of the "Land of the Leopard" national park reported that a flock of endangered lesser white-fronted geese nearly perished due to a private helicopter flying at dangerously low altitude in the protected area of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve
The official website of the Kamchatka Krai reported that four orcas became trapped in a water pocket and stranded on a sandbar in the estuary of the Bolshaya Vorovskaya River near the village of Ustyovoe
The Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources (Rosprirodnadzor) has announced the start of the traditional "Eco-Tree" campaign. Participants will give a second life to unwanted items by creating New Year decorations from used plastic