Assessment of the Impact of the National Project @Tourism and Hospitality Industry@ on the Development and Implementation of the Tourism Potential of Russian Regions

The purpose of this research was to determine the specifics of the impact of the National Project "Tourism and the Hospitality Industry" on the development of the tourism potential of the regions of Russia, as well as the prospects for its improvement. To achieve this goal, several tasks were set in the work. First, theoretical approaches to the study of the basics of the development of domestic tourism and the tourism potential of the regions were studied. This was followed by a review of international practice in this research field. After that, analysis of the current state of development of domestic tourism in Russia was carried out. In addition, the key goals, objectives, tools, and results of the implementation of the National Project "Tourism and the Hospitality Industry" were analyzed. The final part of the work was the analysis of the peculiarities of the impact of the National Project on the development of the tourism potential of Russian regions on the example of the Republic of Dagestan and the Voronezh Region, as well as the identification of areas for improving the National Project to enhance its influence. As a result of the study, it was determined that the National Project "Tourism and the hospitality industry" has a positive impact on the development of the tourism potential of the regions. Based on the examples of the Republic of Dagestan and Voronezh Region, it has been determined that this impact has a predominantly long-term nature due to the length of time required for the implementation of major tourist infrastructure projects and the amortization of prefabricated accommodations. However, at the same time, some initial effects can be seen already at this stage. Among the specific areas of influence of the National Project on the development of the tourism potential of Russian regions, the following were highlighted on the example of the Republic of Dagestan and the Voronezh Region: • A quick solution to the problem of the shortage of hotel rooms and an increase in the supply of rooms; • Improving the return on investment in tourism infrastructure projects; • Improving the investment climate and increasing the number of investors and investments in the tourism infrastructure of the regions; • Delayed effect in the form of an increase in tourist flow. Finally, as a result of the analysis, a number of recommendations were also formulated that can be taken into account, including when making adjustments and improvements for the new version of the National Project "Tourism and Hospitality" in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated May 7, 2024. Among them are the following: • Overall increase in the volume of support for the National Project; • Integration of the National Project "Tourism and Hospitality Industry" with other National Projects; • Focusing the allocated financial support on a limited number of the most promising areas; • Lowering the threshold for the number of rooms for entrepreneurs to participate in the program of preferential loans for the construction of hotel infrastructure; • Solving the problem of personnel shortage; • Lowering the threshold for the share of co-financing by regions of activities to receive support for the National Project. As a result, the tasks and the goal were fulfilled in full. It can also be noted that the work done opens a field for further research on this topic. These studies can be carried out, for example, in 2027-2028, when many investment projects of tourism infrastructure planned with the support of the National Project will be completed, and the effects of the implementation of the National Project will become fully visible.