MOSCOW, February 29. /TASS/. Russia’s tourism brand will be presented at expos in China and India in the near future, Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Dmitry Vakhrukov said in an interview with TASS.

"We will present Russia’s tourism brand before a wide audience already this year. The next event, a tourism expo, [will take place] in India. There are several major tourism events in China and in the UAE," he said.

The ministry started developing a strategy for promoting the country’s tourism potential in foreign markets last summer, with 17 priority countries determined, including China, India, Southeast Asian countries, and nations in the Arab world and the Islamic world overall, the official noted. A wide range of events is planned under the strategy that are aimed at boosting awareness of what Russia can offer tourists from abroad and informing foreign audiences about specific Russian cities and tourist attractions, he added.

"Our strategy has many levels. We want to work both with business so that travel agencies sell tours to Russia within their countries, and [to promote] the overall perception of the country. We have reached an agreement with our largest regions, such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan (capital of Tatarstan - TASS), with which we will jointly promote the [national] brand at all tourism exhibitions," Vakhrukov explained. Russia’s tourism potential will also be promoted through foreign online platforms, he added.