Photo by Yulia Smirnova
The first Wine Tourism Forum will be held in the Krasnodar Territory, in Abrau-Dyurso, from 11 to 13 May. It is organized Tourism Center “Abrau-Durso” supported by World Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO) And International Enogastronomic Center.
Now more than 100 Russian tour companies and guides offer tours and excursions to wineries in the southern regions. Experts believe that food and wine tourism has a huge potential: the Center for Industry Expertise of the Russian Agricultural Bank predicts a two-fold growth by 2025.
How to develop this promising direction? What successful examples of world experience should be used in Russia? How to cooperate with tour operators, winemakers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, regional and federal authorities? Where and how to train personnel? All these issues will be discussed at the 1st Wine Tourism Forum.
In Abrau-Durso, it will not be held by chance – the most popular Russian winery among tourists is located here, founded more than 150 years ago. In 2022, the museum and historical complex of the resort on Lake Abrau received more than 200,000 guests.
The Abrau-Durso Tourism Center was the first in Russia to join the World Wine Tourism Organization, now it also includes the WinePark Enotourism Center in Yalta and the Château de Talu winery in Gelendzhik.
The President of the GWTO will take part in the forum Jose Antonio Vidalhe will talk about current trends and best world practices in the development of wine tourism.
– The tourism industry is going through a very difficult time. We must focus on the possibility of change, says José Antonio Vidal. And he emphasizes that wine tourism is closely connected with regional cuisine and local products.
– Now the demand for tourism products within the country is actively growing, and one of the most interesting and promising areas of development is wine tourism. With colleagues from other wineries, we are equally interested in expanding the potential of the industry and entering the international level, – I am sure Irina GoncharovaVice President for Tourism and Special Projects of the Abrau-Dyurso Group of Companies.
A single interactive map of Russia’s wine routes could be useful for both tourists and businesses.
The ambassadors of Mexico, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic in Russia, as well as the minister-counselor of the Embassy of Peru in the Russian Federation, will arrive in Abrau-Durso. Professionals from Azerbaijan, Argentina, China, Turkey, Uzbekistan will share their experience.
– Holding a wine tourism forum in Abrau-Durso with the participation of the leaders of the World Wine Tourism Organization and key Russian wineries is difficult to overestimate, – emphasized in an interview with KP GWTO Vice President in the Eurasian Region, President of the International Center for Wine and Gastronomy Leonid Gelibterman. – Relying on the richest historical heritage and following modern trends, Russian wine tourism can successfully compete in the international market. We have something to share with colleagues from other countries.
