Vladimir Putin: "I Would Like To Thank The Tireless Enthusiasts Of The RGS"

Президент РГО Сергей Шойгу и Председатель Попечительского Совета РГО Владимир Путин. Фото: Алексей Михайлов
Президент РГО Сергей Шойгу и Председатель Попечительского Совета РГО Владимир Путин. Фото: Алексей Михайлов

The Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society gathered at the Headquarters of the Russian Geographical Society in St. Petersburgon on April 23. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Geographical Society Sergey Shoigu, members of the Board of Trustees of the Society and honored guests took part in its work.

"An indifferent attitude and serious practical help from the trustees and members of the Media Council of the Russian Geographical Society allow us to implement really useful initiatives, to involve people of all ages in interesting and constructive work, which makes it possible to get to know the nature, culture, history of Russia better", - Vladimir Putin noted. - RGS has a lot of areas of activity. In addition to geographical, educational, research programs, the Society is actively engaged in preserving and studying the cultural heritage, environmental, historical research. Every year, dozens of films and books get grants from the Society, exhibitions and educational events are conducted every year".

The Board of Trustees of the RGS was established in 2009. It revived the traditions of patronage of arts, fully ensuring the activities of the Society at the expense of extrabudgetary funds. Today, the Board of Trustees of the RGS is headed by President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The Council includes prominent public and political figures, business representatives. Council members support important expeditionary, educational, environmental and research projects.

The competence of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society is to review the annual and long-term plans of the Society, its budget, discuss significant initiatives in the field of popularization of geographical knowledge about Russia, the development of geographical education, Russian science, raising funds for the implementation of the Society's projects.

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Председатель Попечительского Совета РГО Владимир Путин. Фото: Алексей Михайлов
Председатель Попечительского Совета РГО Владимир Путин. Фото: Алексей Михайлов

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RGS noted that today the development of ecological, cultural, and educational tourism is one of the priorities in the activity of the Society. "Russia receives the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in the autumn this year, and for us, as a host country, it is important not only to meet guests from over a hundred and a half states worthily, but we must do everything so that the leading representatives of the global tourism industry would realize that the tourist potential of our country is great, that we have every reason to be among the leaders in international ratings of the most sought-after trips on the planet", said Vladimir Putin.

He highlighted the system of voluntary certification of tourist routes developed by the Russian Geographical Society. Tours, that will get it, will receive a certificate of conformity and the sign - "Recommended by the RGS". "Of course, the presence of appropriate infrastructure plays an important role in attracting tourists, but good hotels and transport accessibility cannot compensate the lack of bright and elaborate routes. I am convinced that not only professionals, but also people who know and love our country should be engaged in the creation of the content of the domestic tourist product, and here the Russian Geographical Society, of course, has something to offer. Such an extensive database of the natural wealth of our country, folk traditions, monuments. Perhaps, there is no organization or individual departments like this one", - said Vladimir Putin.

Since 2018, outdoor activities enthusiasts can find offers of exciting tours in Russia, that were made together with the Society's partners, on the site of the Russian Geographical Society in the section “Traveling with the RGS”. Tours are different in duration, difficulty of passing routes, types of accommodation.

In conclusion, Vladimir Putin thanked everyone who helps the Russian Geographical Society, as well as the "tireless enthusiasts of the RGS". “I want to wish you all success. This is a good, big-hearted, useful and very valuable work for the country”, said the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society.

The importance of the development of domestic tourism, voluntary certification of tourist routes were noted in the speech of the President of the Russian Geographical Society Sergey Shoigu: "Each expedition, each tourist route has its own individual character. Films, that are made on the basis of these expeditions, are of great interest not only in our country, but also far abroad. Of course, these are expeditions to Kamchatka and Chukotka, these are the Shantar Islands, the Kuril Ridge, the Matua Islands, the Shumshu, this is what concerns our polar region and our Arctic. Some enthusiasts have created a route for passing through the north of our country by jeep and invite everyone to participate in these expeditions".

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Президент Русского географического общества Сергей Шойгу. Фото: Алексей Михайлов
Президент Русского географического общества Сергей Шойгу. Фото: Алексей Михайлов

Sergei Shoigu drew particular attention to the underwater expeditions of the Society, to "work on finding, studying and presenting to the public those artifacts that represent the history of our country, the history of discoverers, pathfinders, but - no less important, and maybe it is even more important - history of military glory of our fleet and our country".

The development of domestic tourism should also be promoted by the RGS Festival. It takes place every two years and this time it will take place in September in the Zaryadie park. "Almost all places of our country, all ethnic groups and nationalities will be represented there. There will be presented the widest exposition in today's exhibition activities of various tour operators. One can hardly find more than this tourism event", the President of the Russian Geographical Society said.
 
The results of the work of the RGS in 2018 were described and the main projects of 2019 were presented at the meeting of the Board of Trustees.