Nizhny Novgorod hosted the international hospitality forum "Intourmarket".

      On April 2, 2026, at 18:54 Society At the Nizhny Novgorod Fair, the XXI International Exhibition-Forum (12+) of hospitality regions "Intourmarket" opened on April 2. For three days, 52 regions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus will present their tourism opportunities. The program includes discussions on current industry issues, as well as more than 100 educational and entertainment events. On the opening day, the forum was attended by Dmitry Vakhryukov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Anna Gromova, head of the "Imperial Route," Yegor Polyakov, Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region, and Senator Olga Shchetinina. Guests inspected the exhibition stands of the regions, including Nizhny Novgorod Region, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladimir and Yaroslavl Regions, Tolyatti, as well as thematic exhibitions "The Silver Necklace of Russia" and "The Imperial Route." Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of Russia, speaking at the plenary session, noted that the forum is being held outside the capital for the second consecutive year. According to him, the choice of Nizhny Novgorod is not accidental: the region demonstrates significant growth in tourism due to the systematic work of Governor Gleb Nikitin's team. He also reported that over the past two years, the flow of foreign tourists to Russia has increased by 1.5 times — to 5.6 million people, and in January 2026, the figure increased by another 36%. Notably, more than 5 million tourists visited Nizhny Novgorod Region in 2025. According to the minister, Nizhny Novgorod Region is actively entering international markets: flights from Serbia are planned to be launched soon, and routes from China are also being developed. In addition, the inclusion of Nizhny Novgorod in a joint promotion program with Moscow as part of the national brand Discover Russia is being considered.

      Deputy Head of the Region Yegor Polyakov emphasized that the development of international tourism requires modern infrastructure. He reported that by 2030, 16 hotels with a total cost of about 50 billion rubles and a capacity of more than 2,300 rooms are planned to be built in the region. In particular, the construction of the "Ecological Park" tourist complex with a five-star hotel for 258 rooms is underway, which will allow hosting high-level guests, including participants of international events. Sergey Yakovlev, Minister of Tourism and Crafts of Nizhny Novgorod Region, noted that the region is actively developing its tourism potential and promoting traditional brands, including Khokhloma, in foreign markets together with the Russian Export Center. He emphasized that the region aims to strengthen its positions in both the domestic and international tourism markets. According to the regional Ministry of Tourism, by the end of 2025, passenger traffic at Chkalov Airport exceeded 1.4 million people. Since 2021, the number of trips by foreign tourists through this airport has increased more than fivefold.

      Let us remind you that the national project "Tourism and Hospitality," initiated by President of Russia Vladimir Putin, is the successor to the national project "Tourism and the Hospitality Industry." Its implementation aims to develop tourism infrastructure, produce domestic products for the industry, and train personnel for the sector. In early March, Governor Gleb Nikitin reported to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on the development of tourism in Nizhny Novgorod Region. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+