"More than 7.5 million people visited the Far East last year, with tourist flow increasing by 50% over the past four years. We expect significant growth in 2026 as well. Regions in the Far East are already hosting over 100 gastronomic tourism events, attracting an increasing number of travelers. Regarding residents, nearly 300 tourism projects in the Far East are operating with government support. The theme of gastronomy is very relevant here, as every tourist complex has a restaurant and, in one way or another, showcases regional cuisine. Specifically, in the food service industry, over 30 restaurant projects are being implemented under preferential regimes, totaling approximately 10 billion rubles. These residents are specifically focused on gastronomic tourism and promoting it in the Far East," said Yulia Ivanova, Deputy Director of the Investment Department of the FEDC.
Speaking about foreign participation, she also noted that investors from China and Mongolia are showing the greatest interest in implementing tourism projects. Joint routes, including the “Great Tea Road”, are being actively developed, and work is underway to present Far Eastern cuisine as a unique product for foreign markets.