Start small: the number of state-supported tourism SMEs has doubled
The number of small and medium-sized businesses in the tourism sector that have received funding under the state program has doubled in 2024. More than 4.6 thousand enterprises received funds, and SMEs managed to attract more than 38 billion rubles on preferential terms. At first glance, the financing seems significant, but it is important to take into account its correlation with the needs of the market, bureaucratic difficulties and the specifics of the regions, experts warn. How the state finances the tourism industry — in the material of Izvestia.
Twice as much
In 2024, more than 4,600 companies received financial support as part of the national SME development project. This is twice as much as a year earlier. On preferential terms, the business has attracted more than 38 billion rubles for the construction and expansion of hotels, restaurants, cafes and tourist infrastructure. The funds were transferred to the participants of the National Guarantee System (NGS), created at the initiative of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. Its operator is the SME Corporation.
The largest amount of financial support received under the NHS fell on restaurants and cafes (2.4 thousand SMEs in this area were able to attract 15.4 billion rubles). The hotel industry was on the second line, with 654 companies receiving 12.4 billion rubles.
Moscow, Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Tatarstan have become the leaders in terms of SME support in the tourism sector among Russian regions. SMEs received 6.13 billion, 2.46 billion and 2.14 billion rubles, respectively.
The next in the list in terms of funds raised are the Sverdlovsk Region (1.69 billion rubles), St. Petersburg (1.48 billion rubles), the Republic of Crimea (1.23 billion rubles) and the Rostov Region (1.21 billion rubles). The top 10 also includes the Chechen Republic (1.14 billion rubles), the Moscow Region and the Perm Region (0.88 and 0.8 billion rubles, respectively).
To interact with regions and entrepreneurs interested in tourism projects, the SME Corporation on the SME digital platform.The Russian Federation has launched an online service "Support for entrepreneurs in the field of tourism".
"Through this service, all information about support measures, the needs of regions in creating tourist infrastructure, and available investment sites for their implementation is collected on one site,— Alexander Isaevich, CEO of SME Corporation, clarified in an interview with Izvestia.
Since its launch, about 40 regions of the Russian Federation have used it. Most of all, Russian regions need hotels, campgrounds and glamping sites, as well as multifunctional road service areas. About 250 tourism projects with state support have already been proposed for the implementation of SMEs.
The government is consistently expanding support for small and medium-sized businesses in the tourism industry, including by creating targeted development tools, Isaevich stressed. One of them is umbrella guarantees. In 2024, with the help of this tool, SMEs in the tourism sector attracted 17.6 billion rubles, which is 40% more than a year earlier. At the same time, the number of recipients of financial support with umbrella guarantees increased 2.5 times, exceeding the mark of 2.35 thousand entrepreneurs.
For 2025, the SME Corporation has allocated a special limit of "umbrella" guarantees, which will allow small and medium-sized businesses in the hotel sector to attract at least 25 billion rubles.
The development of the tourism industry has a positive effect not only for enterprises operating directly in it, Isaevich is convinced. Related areas such as construction, transport, trade, and services are also receiving momentum. New enterprises are appearing in them, existing ones are developing and employment is growing.
The range of possibilities
In 2024, the Russian tourism industry has significantly strengthened due to a significant increase in government funding, says Sergey Sagaidakov, founder of Travelution travel agency. In the first nine months of 2024, according to him, total private and public investments in tourism increased by 44%, reaching 652 billion rubles, which is almost 1.5 times higher than in the same period of 2023.
The regions named government support measures as one of the drivers of tourism growth in 2024, said Nikita Korostelev, Director of Government Relations at Tutu travel service. We are talking about the opportunities provided within the framework of the national project "Tourism and the Hospitality Industry". Thanks to this program, a large number of non-capital tourist sites and year-round beaches appeared in Russia, which stimulated demand for regional brands, says Irina Mironova, Director of federal programs at the Skolkovo School of Management and creator of the Hospitable Cities training program. Federal, regional and municipal authorities are now ready to actively support the tourism business if it has a mature and realistic approach.
SMEs in the tourism sector in Russia can receive financial support from the state in several cases, Sagaidakov recalls. First of all, these are subsidies for infrastructure development — funds are allocated for the development of beaches and national tourist routes, the purchase of equipment, the creation of electronic travel guides, etc.
Another option is preferential loans provided as part of the national project "Small and medium—sized enterprises," the expert clarifies. The allocated funds are also often used for the construction of tourist infrastructure.
— Loans are provided at reduced rates for the implementation of investment projects, replenishment of working capital and refinancing. For example, the 1764 program offers loans under the terms of the Central Bank's key rate + 2.75–3.5% in the amount of 500 thousand to 2 billion rubles for up to 10 years," explains Sagaidakov.
In addition, businesses in tourism can benefit from tax benefits, such as VAT exemption for hotel and tour operator accommodation services until 2027.
Sole proprietors also receive one-time payments under a social contract with a maximum amount of 350 thousand rubles, Inna Ryndina, commercial director of the Russian Seasons hotel group, draws attention. Grant support has also appeared in the regions, which stimulates business with additional investments.
Nikita Korostelev believes that the case is not limited exclusively to financial instruments.
— Federal and regional authorities actively assist in obtaining land by SMEs, providing communications, if it concerns the hotel sector, as well as providing extensive information and consulting support, — the expert lists.
Important nuances
At first glance, the financing of more than 38 billion rubles allocated under the National Guarantee System seems significant, but several factors affecting the development of SMEs in the tourism industry should be taken into account, emphasizes Sergey Sagaidakov.
First of all, it is important to take into account the comparison of financing with the needs of the market, he is convinced. According to various estimates, they turned out to be significantly higher than the total volume of investments in Russian tourism. Government support covers only a small part of the necessary investments, which is why SMEs have to look for additional sources of funds.
Another problem lies in the distribution of money, Sagaidakov points out. It is important that financing is available to a wide range of entrepreneurs and does not require excessive bureaucratic clearance.
— Some companies face difficulties in obtaining grants and subsidies due to strict co-financing requirements or difficult application conditions. For example, grants for the development of tourism require 30% co—financing, which may be unaffordable for small companies," the source said.
Regional specifics also play a role. Today, tourism in a number of regions of the Russian Federation is developing more actively than in others. The latter require significant investments in infrastructure. Uneven distribution of funds can slow down the development of tourism in promising but less developed regions, warns Sergey Sagaidakov.
There is also a risk that funds will be spent inefficiently, the expert adds. Allocating money to projects without a well-thought-out concept or facilities with low demand will also lead to uneven development of the industry.
Priority area
In 2025, the regions expect positive growth figures for domestic tourism, Nikita Korostelev points out. The indicator is projected to increase by 8-17%. These expectations are directly related to government support measures aimed at SMEs, the multiplier effect of which can be observed with the current level of financing.
However, the tourism sector is still considered by the authorities as strategically important. The growth of financing in 2025 will be a logical continuation of the policy of supporting this industry, believes Sergey Sagaidakov.
"Given the uncertainty in the international arena and the need to develop domestic tourist routes and infrastructure, government support can become an important stability factor for SMEs," the expert believes.
The tourism industry hopes that the volume of its provision will be sufficient for the development of small and medium-sized businesses, which will have a beneficial effect on the entire tourism industry in Russia, Nikita Korostelev emphasizes.
"Given the ambitious plans for the implementation of the national tourism project and the current size of the key rate, such measures are necessary to support business and continue the development of domestic tourism," the expert is convinced.
At the same time, it is important to remember that the state has other priority areas that require state support, such as demography and industry. In this regard, the existing financing of the tourism industry should be used more precisely, but as effectively as possible, Irina Mironova urges. To do this, it is possible to resort to instruments of inter-municipal cooperation, concessions and subsidies.
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