Tatarstan President: The Altai Territory and the Republic of Altai have a unique tourist potential

On June 17, during his working visit to the Altai Territory, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with Acting Governor - Chairman of the Government of the Altai Territory Viktor Tomenko and Head of the Government of the Altai Republic Aleksandr Berdnikov.

The meeting discussed prospects for the development of trade and economic relations between the regions, taking into account the competitive advantages of each entity such as the powerful industrial complex of Tatarstan, the agro-industrial potential of the Altai Territory, and the tourism industry of the Altai Territory and the Republic of Altai.

Tatarstan President noted that the Republic of Altai has a unique tourist infrastructure and favorable natural and climatic conditions. In order to attract tourists from Tatarstan to Gorny Altai, Minnikhanov suggested organizing direct flights between Kazan and Gorno-Altaisk. However, the issue of subsidizing air transportation should be solved for this purpose, he added. "We need to be eligible for the subsidy. Transport logistics is the basis for the development of tourism and business," Tatarstan President said.

Tatarstan is also interested in cooperation with the Altai Territory, Minnikhanov stressed. He noted that the region is famous for its large agro-industrial complex and machine-building enterprises. Moreover, the Altai Territory has been doing much work to develop the investment potential in the tourism sector. As many as 18 residents have already registered in the Turquoise Katun special economic zone of the tourist and recreational type. Every year more than 400,000 people visit the tourist complex. Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan has extensive experience in the development of special economic zones and is ready to share it with colleagues from the Altai Territory.

Tomenko stressed that Tatarstan and the Altai Territory have had close and long-lasting relationships. "I would like to confirm the line that was taken more than 10 years ago, when the first cooperation agreement was signed. At present, we live in the modern format of this agreement. There is a road map which we use in our work. I want to confirm that we will develop all the beginnings and traditions of our relations in the future," he added.

In his turn, Berdnikov said that today the Republic of Altai pays special attention to the development of health tourism and solar generation. He also noted that direct flights between Kazan and Gorno-Altaisk used to be carried out and the Republic of Altai is interested in their resumption.