KAZAN, 14 November. /TASS/. The Great Tea Road tourist route will traverse Russia, China and Mongolia, Director of the Centre for International Tourism Development of the Centre for Strategic Research (CSR) Yulia Maksutova said at the 2nd International Forum Rostki: Russia and China - Mutually Beneficial Cooperation.
"The project is very ambitious. Several trilateral meetings have already taken place at the ministerial level of the three countries: Russia, Mongolia and China. The project logo was approved at the last meeting which was held in Ulan-Ude. A roadmap is now being drawn up by the three countries. We want to resume tourist flows along the path that tea travelled several centuries ago," Maksutova was quoted as saying by the forum organisers.
Each country will have an anchor for the project. For Russia, it will be the city of Kyakhta in Buryatia. Among the Russian regions that will be included in the Great Tea Road are Tatarstan and Moscow.
Maksutova noted that the Great Tea Road will have a positive impact on the development of tourism. It is expected that tourist flows between the countries will increase by 30%. The similarity of cultures, the existence of hospitality standards and direct flights should ensure a positive dynamic.
The International Forum Rostki: Russia and China - Mutually Beneficial Cooperation will be held in Kazan on 13-15 November. The forum's business program includes 70 sessions on trade, investment, technology, logistics, petrochemicals, agriculture, education, tourism and other topics. More than 10,000 participants are expected to attend the event, including representatives of 69 Russian regions and 26 China's administrative divisions. The Forum will also host the Russia China Expo international exhibition and will offer an extensive cultural program to all participants.
TASS is the general information partner of the forum.