The All-Russian Hospitality Forum, a key discussion platform for industry professionals, opened in Krasnoyarsk. This year's event is the largest ever, with over 1,000 participants from across Russia and abroad coming to the regional capital. Experts, entrepreneurs, government officials, scientists, and educators will discuss the role of hospitality in societal development, prospects for professional growth in the industry, and current issues related to personnel training.

The Forum's programme includes lectures, roundtable discussions, and workshops covering all areas of the tourism business, gastronomy, and service industries. Today, tourism and the creative industries have become economic sectors in their own right and fully contribute to regional development, the creation of new jobs, investment, and quality of life.

For the first time, an official delegation from the Republic of Abkhazia, led by Deputy Prime Minister Varazdat Minosyan, is participating in the event. The Krasnoyarsk Region is actively invested in the strategic partnership between Abkhazia and Russia, aimed at improving the level of tourism services in the republic:

— For Abkhazia, which is currently experiencing rapid growth, particularly in tourism and agriculture, this Forum is a unique opportunity. We are in urgent need of qualified and competent personnel in the hospitality industry, and events like these are important for sharing experiences.

First Deputy Governor and Head of the Governor's Administration Sergey Ponomarenko welcomed the forum delegates on behalf of the Governor Mikhail Kotyukov:

— Some twenty years ago, it would have been imposible for our industrial city to host a forum dedicated to hospitality. Thanks to our restaurateurs, Krasnoyarsk is now rightfully considered one of Russia's gastronomic capitals, and these days our own Institute of Gastronomy trains professionals for the entire country. We've already achieved significant success in hospitality—as evidenced by winning All-Russian competition awards. However, there remains enormous potential for growth. This can be realized through improving service quality and training qualified personnel. These are the issues we will be focusing on in the coming days.

Info:

• The forum is supported by the national project "Tourism and Hospitality." Participants' suggestions may be included in the updated version of the national project.
• This is the first time the Forum is being held as part of the All-Russian Hospitality Week.
• Seven students from Abkhazia are already pursuing higher education in hospitality at the SFU Institute of Gastronomy. One hundred Abkhaz specialists will complete advanced training courses at the university by the end of May.