Ilsur Metshin: «The hotel industry of Kazan holds great promise»

Kazan won the Best City with a Population Over 1 million for Hotel Business category at the National Hotel Awards. 186 finalists in 43 categories competed for the award. Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin congratulated all hospitality industry representatives on their achievement at the Business Monday meeting.

The Mayor noted that this year was challenging test for Kazan, which hosted the Games of the Future, the BRICS Games, the International Forum of Cities of the BRICS+ countries and the BRICS summit. «Hosting heads of state is the most difficult, responsible and honorable mission. Our hoteliers coped with this with dignity. And the recognition of Kazan at such a high official level is worth a lot», – the Mayor said.

He noted that the hotel industry in Kazan holds great promise: «We are working closely with representatives of the hotel industry, owners of hotels and restaurants to improve the quality of hospitality services. We will continue to focus on this industry, as tourism, including business tourism, is one of the main drivers of the municipal economy, because we regularly host Russian and international events in Kazan».

He added that tourism had not developed significantly in the city before its Millennium anniversary, but today it has become an important part of the urban economy. It generates gross domestic product, creates jobs, and serves as a «growth engine» for investment.

According to Daria Sannikova, the director of the Tourism Development Committee, the results of the National Hotel Award were announced on November 22 in Moscow.

The winners were determined by voting in several stages. The people's jury included more than 75,000 people. The votes by an expert panel consisted of 17 representatives of the hotel and tourism industry.

This is already the second award of the city at the award – for the first time Kazan won the title in 2022.

«The victory of Kazan is a mutual success for the entire hospitality industry», – said Daria Sannikova. – It is especially significant to receive this award in 2024, as the hotel industry has been entrusted with a significant responsibility due to the many international events taking place».

Over the past 10 years, the number of accommodation facilities in Kazan has grown by 120. «Winning this award for the hotel industry marks an important step in enhancing the city's appeal to investors and opening up new possibilities for domestic and international promotion», – she concluded.