Russian minister sees substantial potential for Russian-Tajik tourist exchanges

MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Tajik Tourism Development Committee Chairman Kamoliddin Muminzod signed an agreement on the promotion of tourist arrivals in Dushanbe on Friday.

"Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Tajik Tourism Development Committee Chairman Kamoliddin Muminzod signed a roadmap for broadening cooperation in tourism. It was signed at the 9th interregional cooperation conference with the theme 'Business and Investment Partnership between Russia and Tajikistan' in Dushanbe on March 3 during a working visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin," the press service for the Russian Economic Development Ministry said.

The 17-point roadmap envisages the elaboration of joint tourist routes and brands and their promotion, alongside an improvement of conditions for Russian and Tajik investors. It also envisages the exchange of information and practices of tourism, cooperation in education, and improvement of services of tour operators, guides and interpreters.

"The joint action plan will help us improve the quality of tourist services in our countries, increase the number of personnel and upgrade their training. All of that strengthens bilateral relations no less than business projects. We also see a substantial unlocked potential for tourist exchanges between our countries," the press service quoted Reshetnikov as saying at the signing ceremony.

Tajikistan is ready for further strengthening and expansion of cooperation in tourism and creating proper conditions for visitors from Russia, Muminzod said.

The Economic Development Ministry noted that over 150 flights are performed between Russia and Tajikistan on a weekly basis. Flights are operated from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Krasnoyarsk, Mineralnye Vody, Samara, Ufa, Chelyabinsk and Irkutsk. There is also rail service from Moscow and Volgograd to Dushanbe, Khujand, Kulob and some other cities.