OREANDA-NEWS. Transcript: Dmitry Medvedev: This is a good exhibition. I recommend to those who have not seen it, to do so.

As is clear to everyone here, this meeting will focus on tourism, its development potential and the possible problems. I remember chairing a similar meeting in 2008, which some of those here attended. Things have changed since then, but we cannot say in all honesty that we have developed a modern travel industry. According to the experts at the World Economic Forum, the travel and tourism sector accounts for one job in 11, and the key thing is that travel agencies are mostly small and medium-sized businesses. Moreover, the travel sector has proved that it can survive even amid a global recession.

I won’t repeat the platitudes about Russia’s tourism opportunities, which are rooted in our history and also Russia’s unique place in the world. But I suggest we discuss ways to use our competitive advantages to attract foreign tourists and to promote domestic tourism.