In his speech, Aslan Bzhania noted the importance of holding such events, since tourism is one of the priority areas for the development of the country's economy.

“Abkhazia is famous for hospitality, we are glad to communicate, to have new acquaintances, are open for constructive cooperation. I am sure that topical industry issues will be discussed on the sidelines of the Forum. I consider the main task to be the development of comprehensive measures and modern approaches to improving the quality of tourism services provided in Abkhazia and development of entrepreneurial initiative, ” the head of state said.

In his speech, Bzhania noted the importance of ensuring the safety of guests of the republic. In this regard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and special services are taking all the necessary measures. The personnel was transferred to an enhanced mode of work.

Aslan Bzhania stressed that Abkhazia has great potential in terms of the development of transport infrastructure. “I consider it necessary to inform you that there is active interaction with the relevant structures of the Russian Federation related to the restoration of the Sukhum Airport. With high degree of probability, the airport will start accepting the first flights by January 2024, ” President said.

Aleksey Dvinyanin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Abkhazia, also spoke at the opening ceremony. “Reception of vacationers is one of the cornerstones of the Abkhaz economy. At the same time, this sphere faced significant difficulties after the independence restoration of the republic in 1993. First of all, mention should be made of the damage inflicted on the resort infrastructure of Abkhazia known throughout the Soviet Union as a result of the barbaric Georgian aggression. Not only hotels and holiday homes were damaged, but also the beautiful Babushehra airport, which is planned to be restored in the coming years. We will make every effort. The railway was also destroyed, ” Ambassador said.

According to him, the recognition of Abkhazia's independence by Russia in 2008 helped to make the situation in the region more predictable. Russian financial assistance helped to solve a number of infrastructure issues. An inflow of investments helped to build new facilities and to restore the existing ones, not only hotels. He noted the Gagra colonnade and the road to the St. John Chrysostom monastery in Kamany village, Sukhum region, of the last objects restored with the funds of the Russian investment program.

“All these steps contribute to an increase in the tourist flow to Abkhazia. Many citizens of my country have rediscovered Apsny, its beautiful nature and ancient monuments. This positive trend was nearly undercut by the coronavirus pandemic last year. I am sure that Abkhazian beaches will not be empty this year due to the closure of other traditional tourist destinations,” Dvinyanin said.

Dvinyanin stressed that the embassy understands the importance of uninterrupted communication between Russia and Abkhazia and by all means defend before the Russian authorities the need for a special approach to the republic when introducing certain sanitary measures against foreign states. Ambassador also mentioned some problematic points, including the need to create mechanisms to protect foreign investments and as one of the options for solving this problem, he called the consolidation of public-private partnership at the legislative level. He also noted the importance of bringing the safety of foreign tourists to a new level.

“Of course, cornerstones of successful tourism in Abkhazia are safety, quality of the service sector, guarantees for tourists. The tourism sector of the economy of Abkhazia remains a reliable support and engine for development of other sectors and strengthening the welfare of the citizens. The embassy understands this and intends to make every effort to promote further successful promotion of the entire economy as a whole and the tourism sector, ” Dvinyanin said.

The participants and guests of the international forum were also greeted by Minister of Tourism Teimuraz Khishba: “We are glad to host such a representative event. Abkhazia has always been a favorite resort for millions of Russians, almost a second home. We are very glad that the love of Russian tourists for Abkhazia is not diminishing and we are ready to work day and night to ensure our guests receiving high-quality and safe services. "

He noted that the event is attended by the largest specialists in the field of tourism, insurance, government and public figures, journalists from 66 regions of Russia.

The rector of the Russian State University of Tourism and Service (RGUTIS), Chairman of the Expert Council of the Federation for Tourism Alexander Fedulin spoke at the solemn opening of the forum. He noted that Abkhazia can and should become an important part of the Russian tourism market, despite the fact that development of domestic tourism has recently been a priority in Russia.

“The republic has all the conditions for this. The Russian Federation has been dealing with tourism problems for a longer time, we have many regulations and a law on tourism, which is planned to be revised and take innovations into account . Despite this, we have a lot in common, the same problems. This is the state of infrastructure and service. I think that the round tables that we hold within the framework of our forum will help move forward not only Abkhazia, we will also take into account the experience, ” said Alexander Fedulin.

He also noted that there are moments in which Abkhazia is ahead of the Russian tourism industry, saying that Russia does not yet have its own slogan.

“Unfortunately, Russia has neither a tourist symbol nor a slogan yet. Your slogan "Abkhazia is the country of the soul" reflects the essence and desires of the people living here. We will also learn from our Abkhaz colleagues being here for three days, ”he said.

Ruslan Novikov, General Director of the Argumenty i Fakty Publishing House, Tamila Mertskhulava, President of the RA CCI, and Dmitry Davydenko, Chairman of the All-Russian Tourist Association, spoke at the opening ceremony of the forum.

The Forum program is designed for three days. Yesterday, May 12, the grand opening of the exhibition "Abkhazia - the country of the soul 2021" took place within the framework of the forum.

It is planned to hold a plenary session today, after the solemn opening of the forum itself.  "The concept of the summer tourist season in the Republic of Abkhazia - quality, safety, new technologies, new products."

Today there are two panel sessions: "Topical issues of insurance of tourists in Abkhazia" and "Gastronomic map of Abkhazia, wine roads and a wine festival".

Six sessions on the following topics are also scheduled for tomorrow, May 14: prospects for development of the sanatorium-resort industry in Abkhazia; topical issues of the activities of Russian tour operators in the Abkhaz tourist destination; creation of children's summer health camps; development prospects of the hotel industry; digitalization and IT technologies in the tourism industry of Abkhazia; summing up the results of the forum.