Travelling Without Borders and Barriers: The Council on International Tourism of the World Peoples Assembly discussed plans for 2026–2027

A meeting of the Working Group on the Development of Event, Inclusive and Pilgrimage Tourism of the Council on International Tourism of the World Peoples Assembly took place on 1 October 2026. The Council operates as part of the Assembly’s project «International Cooperation for Tourism Development».

Participants of the meeting discussed the results of council members’ participation in the panel discussion «International Tourism: Cooperation and Development Prospects», which was held as part of the Second World Public Assembly. Special attention was paid to international event tourism activities, festivals and forums scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026 - first quarter of 2027.

Participants considered in detail measures to improve the activities of tour operators. The discussion focused on how to enhance client orientation and adapt to changes in the international tourism landscape. A number of 2026 innovations were at the center of attention:

• new rules for sale of tourism products - in accordance with Government of the Russian Federation Decree No. 551 of 13 May 2026 (effective from 1 September 2026) – «On Approval of the Rules for the Provision of Services for the Sale of a Tourism Product»;

• the updated Federal Law No. 552-of 29 December 2025 (entered into force on 1 September 2026) - «On Amendments to Articles 4 and 19–5 of the Federal Law «On the Fundamentals of Tourism Activities in the Russian Federation» and Articles 15 and 15–1 of the Federal Law «On Social Protection of Disabled Persons in the Russian Federation»;

• increased requirements for accessibility of tourism industry facilities for persons with disabilities, established by Order of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation No. 368 of May 6, 2026 – «On Approval of the Procedure for Ensuring Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities at Tourism Industry Facilities Subject to Classification under the Legislation of the Russian Federation on Tourism Activities (with the Exception of Accommodation Facilities Classified under Federal Law No. 127-FZ of June 7, 2025 «On Conducting an Experiment on the Provision of Guest House Services and Services Provided Therein»), Including the Scope and Content of Measures to Ensure Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities at Such Facilities and Services Provided Therein»;

• new digital services - tools that make it possible to work with international tourists in a more mobile and engaging way.

Tatiana Avgusmanova, Head of the Sustainable Development Directorate of the World Peoples Assembly, presented the results of international tourism development activities carried out during the visit of the World Peoples Assembly’s delegation to Vietnam. Proposals from members of the Working Group on International Tourism Development, prepared jointly with Vietnamese colleagues, will be incorporated into the «Roadmap for Developing Partnership with Vietnam».

Additional information is available on the official website of the World Peoples Assembly, on its VKontakte and Telegram accounts, and at media@world-assembly.org.