All-Russia Forum “Student Tourism in Russia” opened at Saratov State University on December, 11. It gathered over 150 participants from 57 universities.
On the first day there was an opening ceremony, round tables and a debate show where the participants discussed what students tourism is, how to make it affordable and popular.
The key forum event – strategic session consisting of two parts – took place on December, 12. In the first part organization committee speakers presented their view of student tourism development in Russia. In the second part the participants presented their ideas on the issue.
At the start за the session, Deputy Chair of Saratov Region Government M.V. Goremyko addressed the guests saying that student tourism is a traditional form of holidays for young people and a very promising one with a great variety of health-boosting practices, educational programs, and events for socialization and intercultural communication development. “I hope professional talks at the forum will help to develop recommendations for people involved in student tourism, decisions taken here will promote its development, and the events will become regular”. M.V. Goremyko thanked the Ministry of Education and Science for giving the region and Saratov State University the great honor of hosting the vent of such level.
M.V. Goremyko read the testimonial from the Governor V.V. Radaev. It said that Saratov Region has unique natural resources and students initiate various project to learn about hometown history and promote its cultural heritage. “Sport and tourism camp “Touriada” concerns student tourism development directly. Every year it gathers hundreds of participants”, said the testimonial. “I believe All-Russia Tourist Forum will create many ideas that will find realization at “Touriada-2016”.
Then Director of the Department of state policy on children and youth education of the Ministry of Education and Science A.E. Stradze. He thanked Saratov State University staff and students who helped a lot in organizing the event. “All-Russia student forum is a starting point for student tourism development. This is an important and much needed event”, said A.E. Stradze.
In his report A.E. Stradze focused on founding and re-creating tourist clubs at universities. He believes tourism should become a part of educational process and promote patriotism and education. According to A.E. Stradze developing volunteer movement is also very significant. He named the 70th Victory Anniversary Volunteer Corpus and “Russian Language Ambassador” project successful examples of volunteer projects. He suggested to make discount regional touristic tours for students supported by the Ministry of Education and Science.
SSU Rector A.N. Chumachenko presented the University work on student tourism. According to him, the University pays great attention to the issue. SSU has reach experience in training tourist industry professionals. Our students regularly win tourist destination competitions; they form the frame of Saratov team at Touriada camp. The Rector also talked about a number of works supported by Russian Geographic Society grants. Tourist Atlas of the Volga Federal District is under development to be sent to RGS review. Another sign of effective work in student tourism promotion at University is a student tourist club “Roads of the region” that organizes annual meetings and camping vents. “Saratov State University develops touristic work. It unites people and promotes traditions of Saratov tourism”, said A.N. Chumachenko. “Student tourism has important functions: it broadens horizons, develops skills and teaches to respect the country’s cultural heritage”.
Director of the Federal center for children and youth tourism and regional study M.M. Bostanjoglo compared the work of tourist groups in the USSR, the 1990s and in the XXI century. According to him, the most important task today is to promote patriotism and bring up people with high moral standards. Touristic organizations can help in it. “Loving your Motherland is the state’s stronghold”, said the Director.
At the strategic session students from different universities from all over Russia asked questions concerning documents and qualifications of student touristic organization instructor and how to coordinate the work of these structures. Then A.E. Stradze announced the foundation of the center that would coordinate Russian student tourist organizations at SSU.
In the second part of the session, the participants took the word. Representatives of students and university administrations shared their understanding of student tourism, its significance, aims and sources.
Closing the meeting A.E. Stradze reminded the guests that the future of tourism is in their hands. “We enter a new era of tourism development”.
Discussion continued at round tables. The participants would also have a practical course – jump rope camp and lasertag tournament.
The closing ceremony takes place at SSU Bldg. X on December, 13.
