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National routes, Vyborg pretzels and high standards of service have become a current format of tourism in the Leningrad region. New trends in the tourism industry were discussed at the panel discussion “Hospitality Architecture. How tourism, marketing and local gastronomy form a new vector of travel demand in Russia” at the stand of the Leningrad region at VDNKh on Region Day. “The Leningrad region has been and remains attractive to tourists. In the first half of this year alone, 6 million 600 thousand tourist trips were made to the Leningrad Region,” said Olga Golubeva, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Tourism of the Leningrad Region. Today, three national tourist routes are in high demand among tourists in the 47th region: “History and Mysteries of Medieval Vyborg”, “Sovereign Road”, “Grand Tour. All Karelia." This year, more than 700 thousand tourists visited museums on these routes. Currently, in the Leningrad region there are 935 collective accommodation facilities - hotels, recreation centers, cottages, hostels, rural houses, the total number of rooms of which is more than 13.5 thousand. The depth of their bookings and sales of tours is almost 98% and is carried out six months in advance. The most popular among travelers are Vyborg, Gatchina, Priozersk and Vsevolozhsk. In recent years, 7 ski resorts in the region, which meet international standards, have been in great demand. “An important component of travel today is not only comfortable living conditions, but also local cuisine,” added Olga Golubeva. Today, the Leningrad region has its own gastronomic brands, which tourists want to try along with visiting the sights. This includes the famous Vyborg pretzel, Ladoga smelt, and Ivangorod lamprey; the most popular drink is cider. The high standard of guest service in the Ladoga region today is set by the famous Igora resort in the Priozersky region and the Tochka na karte hotel chain. “The government of the Leningrad region is doing a lot of work with universities to train line personnel, managers and executives for tourism enterprises,” said a representative of the regional committee for culture and tourism. To promote the tourism potential of the region, the region is represented at Russian and international tourism exhibitions. “In this process, the entire tourism business, promoting itself, promotes the region. It is very important that we work as a single team,” shared Olga Golubeva.

Open and hospitable for guests: Alexander Drozdenko opened the Day of the Leningrad Region in Moscow at the international exhibition and forum “Russia” at VDNKh and presented the main achievements of the region. “Today the gross regional product of the Leningrad region is approaching 1.7 trillion rubles. This is a record in our entire history. And, in general, over the past 10 years, the region’s GRP has grown 2.5 times. “The Asian dragons are jealous of the growth rate of our economy,” Governor Alexander Drozdenko noted in his speech at the opening of the Day of the Leningrad Region at the Russia exhibition. The head of the region said that the Leningrad region is among the TOP 5 fastest growing regions of Russia. “Over the past 10 years, 4 trillion rubles have been invested in the region’s economy. And in the next 7 years, 6.5 trillion rubles will be invested in the region’s economy. This is the largest investment in Russia for the next 7 years in a specific region. And these are different investments. This is, for example, Volkhov Apatite, which produces environmentally friendly mineral fertilizers that are in demand all over the world. Tikhvin Carriage Works, which produces the most innovative, most modern carriages in the world. Every third cup of tea and every second cup of coffee is coffee and tea produced in the Leningrad region. In general, 40% of all products of the North-West are produced in the Leningrad region. And today we are the number one region in egg production, in the productivity of our cows, in the production of greens and salads. We are the third region in the country for trout production and the third region in the country for flower production,” said Alexander Drozdenko. The region has the largest universal port in the Baltic - Ust-Luga, the second in terms of cargo turnover among all Russian ports: 120 million tons. Over the past five years, more than 11 thousand new jobs have been created in the Leningrad region. “We are not building an economy for ourselves, not for numbers, not for statistics. It is no coincidence that we adopted the slogan for the next five years from investment in the economy to investment in people,” recalled Alexander Drozdenko. The Leningrad region is among the TOP 10 regions with the lowest poverty level – 7%. Funding allocated by the region for social protection has more than doubled over 5 years. In the Leningrad region, there are 63 regional measures to support SVO participants and members of their families, including 17 direct payments, 44 for family members. “According to the presidential national project, 1,000 public and courtyard areas have been landscaped in the Leningrad region over 6 years,” recalled Alexander Drozdenko. “Over 10 years in the Leningrad region, thanks to the support of the president and various federal and regional programs, 500 social facilities have been built and put into operation.” The tourist flow to the Leningrad region has doubled over 5 years and reached 6 million people. “I am often asked, what is the Leningrad region like? I tell everyone, it’s better to come and see once than to hear a hundred times,” said the head of the region, having launched a busy business, educational and cultural program for the Day of the Leningrad Region at the “Russia” exhibition. Creative groups from the region and students of the Leningrad Regional College of Culture and Art prepared bright concert performances for the guests of the exhibition. A highlight of this day will be a theatrical performance about the history of the region “The Tale of the Land of Leningrad” based on the folk holiday “Solstice”, which will be shown on the main stage of VDNKh. Today, at the stand of the Leningrad region, visitors can communicate with famous athletes native to the region, take part in master classes from local craftsmen in arts and crafts, listen to lectures and take part in a drawing for a trip to the “Silver Necklace of Russia”. The business block of the Leningrad Region Day program includes discussions on the development of tourism and science. It is also planned to sign agreements and open a regional coordination center.

“The complexity and relevance of the issues discussed here confirm the need for BRIEF,” note the forum participants. We have collected not only reviews, but also all the content into a voluminous Analytical Digest. It can already be downloaded on our investment portal The digest contains detailed reviews and key points from the sessions of the Baltic Regional Investment Forum: Adaptation of industrial companies to sanctions; Open dialogue between business and government about support measures; Investment Council of the Leningrad Region. Expert opinions from representatives of science, business and government: - Factors of flexibility and sustainability of Russian companies - Activities of foreign companies in Russia - Changes in global value chains with the participation of domestic companies -Support measures for Russian companies Download the digest from the site

The demand deficit for accommodation services in the Leningrad region is 2,500 rooms. The head of the economic block, Dmitry Yalov, spoke about this at the plenary discussion of the Travel hub forum. In order to quickly and effectively respond to increased demand, the team from the economic block of the Leningrad region developed the first regional strategy for the development of tourism infrastructure. Its implementation led to the development of six investment teasers. The work carried out throughout the year made it possible to identify a number of formats and locations that are in demand in the region. It should be noted that AERLO will help investors with the “packaging” of project business models.

Its use multiplies the results in attracting both investors and tourists. AERLO director Anastasia Mikhalchenko spoke about this at the Travel hub forum. Good examples are the introduction of the “Green Corridor for Investor” support system, the first investment strategy for the development of tourism infrastructure developed in the Leningrad region. The work on these projects was based on the principles of marketing: segmentation of the target audience and determination of its “pain” - needs, development of a product that relieves the client’s “pain,” product promotion. As a result, the number of projects supported by AERLO increased by 2.5 times. From the tourism industry, 23 projects worth more than 25 billion rubles are supported.

The Kirov region became acquainted with the best practices of the Leningrad region. Director of the Economic Development Agency Anastasia Mikhalchenko presented practice at the regional strategic session on changing the indicators of the National Investment Attractiveness Rating. The event was organized by the Smartek Agency for Strategic Initiatives. Let us remind you that the “Green Corridor for Investors” is recognized by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and ASI as one of the best Russian management practices. Anastasia spoke about the advantages of the system, the results of its implementation, and how it can be replicated in other regions. Special attention to the investor’s personal account. This unique product is specially created for the tasks of investment development agencies. It ensures transparency of work at all stages, reducing deadlines, which ultimately reduces transaction costs. “Green Corridor for Investors” complies with the Russian Regional Investment Standard, and also includes additional modules that have not yet been included in RIS 2.0 - work with resource supply organizations, local self-government bodies, digitalization of services through the investor’s personal account.

These will be the first tires to carry the Ikon Tires brand. Tires under the new brand will appear in retail sales in the spring of 2024. The company received a new name after the completion of the transaction for the sale of Russian assets of the Finnish concern Nokian Tires at the end of March 2023. The processes involved in applying the new Ikon Tires brand to the tire sidewalls took several months. During the transition period, the company produced winter tires without the mother brand on the sidewall. This solution allowed the company to localize processes without stopping the operation of the plant in Vsevolozhsk for a single day. All technological processes, equipment, and automated production systems have been preserved at the plant. Congratulations to the company on this new important milestone!

Deputy Director of AERLO Anna Milaya and Head of the Territory Marketing Department Sofya Chekhovich completed an on-site internship at NAIR together with colleagues from Investment and Development Agencies from all over Russia. The internship began with a business breakfast with the Governor of the Kaliningrad Region, member of the Supervisory Board of NAAIR Anton Alikhanov. At the meeting, Anton Andreevich spoke about plans for the development of the Kaliningrad region in the coming years, as well as the formation of lighthouse projects for the region. Representatives of the regions asked their questions. It turned out to be an open, detailed conversation. As part of the training, colleagues from various development institutions, administrations, educational institutions, and businesses shared their work experience. During the industrial tour, NAAIR members visited the Khrabrovo industrial park and the production facilities of the Ampertex and Pomatti companies. Colleagues will share their ideas and knowledge with the AERLO team in order to analyze and implement the best in their work.

Where do ideas, insights, and emotions bubble? Where professionals gather! Today, among experts, specialists from the Leningrad Region Export Support Center discussed their development plans. “Reboot of the Center for Activities 2.0” was the name of the brainstorming session, which, according to the General Director of the Center for Educational Activities Vera Shtokailo, helped to see new opportunities for the Center’s work. The head of the economic bloc, Dmitry Yalov, welcomed those gathered. He emphasized how important it is in the new conditions to respond to changes in a timely manner and provide export support to local competitive industries. Also, the director of the Economic Development Agency of the Leningrad Region, Anastasia Mikhalchenko, set the tone of the discussion, talking about the strategic approach to territory marketing, which is already used in AERLO. The Export Support Center has a set of effective tools and the vision of professionals. There is a lot of work ahead to fine-tune processes and implement ideas into work. Thanks to every participant of the event for their productive work! You have enriched both the CPE and each other with your expertise!

What do European companies remember about 2023 and what are their expectations for the next year? This was discussed today at the conference of the Association of European Businesses. As noted by AEB CEO Tadzio Schilling, despite a serious decline last year, the business expectations index in 2023 has recovered to the 2020 level. Foreign companies see that the Russian economy is developing positively and are adapting to new realities. As a result, the growth of positive business expectations for turnover and profit in the long term is growing. The first economic results of the year in the Leningrad region, which were reported by the first deputy chairman of the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activities, Egor Mishcheryakov, confirm this trend. Industrial production recovered from last year's decline and is showing positive dynamics. And the volume of investments in fixed capital for 9 months of this year is estimated at 421.5 billion rubles, 12.9% higher than last year. Many foreign companies have changed owners and have now returned to implementing their investment plans. Companies see niches becoming vacant and strive to occupy them. They are actively announcing new projects in the chemical, food and building materials industries. To speed up the implementation of projects in the Leningrad region, there is a “Green Corridor for Investor” support system, which simplifies and digitalizes procedures and reduces response times. You can register on the investment portal of the Leningrad region.