- Статьи
- Tourism
- The ruble protects: how does the reserve fund for emergency assistance to tourists work?
The ruble protects: how does the reserve fund for emergency assistance to tourists work?
The safety of Russians abroad is one of the main priorities of the state. To ensure this, a special reserve fund has been created, from which, if necessary, funds can be quickly allocated to help citizens who find themselves in a difficult situation abroad. It is funded by the tour operators themselves. However, market players believe that today there are already enough funds in it to solve emergency situations. In this regard, the amount of contributions this year may amount to only one ruble. How the work of the reserve fund will change in 2025 is in the Izvestia article.
New rules with the old focus
The reserve fund of the association of tour operators in the field of outbound tourism has been successfully operating for several years. However, the improvement of legislation in this area continues. The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, in particular, has developed new rules governing the formation and use of the fund's funds. They are intended to replace the order of the Federal Tourism Agency, which expired on January 1, 2026.
The reserve fund is needed to transport tourists from the country of temporary stay, pay for their hotel accommodation before transfer to the place of departure and provide medical assistance in emergency and emergency forms, the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development told Izvestia. It is forbidden to spend money on other purposes.
The fund is formed at the expense of annual and entrance fees of tour operators, as well as income from the placement of the accumulated amount. The amount of contributions is established in accordance with the federal law on the fundamentals of tourism activities. According to the ministry, it varies from 50,000 to 500,000 rubles, depending on the number of outbound tourists and the total price of the tourist product.
Contributions are paid within 15 days from the date of publication or submission of financial statements to the Ministry of Economic Development. However, they must be submitted no later than April 15 of this year. After funds are credited to the current account, the executive body of the association of tour operators must inform the company about the renewal of membership within five working days.
Technical changes
The changes in the new rules are of a technical nature, Yana Muromova, Anex's deputy General Director, explained to Izvestia. In particular, the mention of Rostourism was removed, and the validity period was extended for 2026-2032.
— Clarification of references to legislation has been made and new provisions have been added (for example, about a separate account and reimbursement of expenses). There are also minor changes in the structure of the text. These innovations reflect the adaptation of the rules to the current regulatory framework and organizational changes in tourism management in Russia," the expert emphasizes.
Nikita Korostelev, Director of Government Relations at the Tutu travel service, is convinced that the guarantee mechanism provided by the reserve fund has proved its effectiveness as a tool for helping tourists in difficult situations.
"The only difference between the new rules and the old ones is the provision of an opportunity to reimburse the reserve fund from an insurance company or bank, as well as from a tour operator who violated the contract due to intent or inaction," the expert points out.
The funds of the reserve fund can be spent on transporting a tourist to the destination at a lower cost, the Izvestia interlocutor notes. At the same time, they can also be used for legal support of a citizen and storage of his luggage during the period of assistance.
The issue price
It is important to note that since 2020, a moratorium has been imposed on payments by tour operators to the reserve fund, according to which contributions amounted to only 1 ruble. This measure was adopted as a tool to support the industry after the coronavirus pandemic, recalls Inna Ryndina, commercial director of the Russian Seasons hotel group. The privilege allowed saving up to 25 million rubles.
— This is an insignificant amount across the industry. However, it is important to take into account that 82% of companies in tourism are small businesses, and even an amount of 50 thousand rubles can be significant for them," the Izvestia interlocutor is convinced.
The moratorium has allowed many operators to redirect funds to develop their businesses and promote their travel products.
Currently, the funds established by law are contributed only by companies that join the association of tour operators, Yana Muromova notes. This is due to the fact that over the past five years, money from the reserve fund has not been used, as a result of which its filling is considered sufficient.
— In these circumstances, it is reasonable to discuss the procedure for its formation. The released resources could be used to develop tourism products and improve the quality of services," Nikita Korostelev believes.
Sufficient reserve
The issue of maintaining the contribution in the amount of one ruble for the coming year was considered at a meeting of the working group under the State Duma Committee on Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure Development on April 15. This proposal was supported by the First Deputy Chairman of the committee, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the association "Turpomosh" Nikolay Valuev.
Alexander Osaulenko, Director of Turpomoshie, said that the amount of funds accumulated to date in the reserve fund is three times the amount available in 2014. At the same time, the probability that this money will need to be spent on emergency care is extremely low.
— I don't think we will have to talk about any shocks and possible evacuation. But even if something happens, the accumulated funds in the reserve fund will be enough," confirmed Anna Podgornaya, CEO of Pegasus Tourism.
It is important to keep in mind that the fund's expenses largely depend on the number of tourists who need help. And there are not so many Russians traveling abroad now. TT-Travel (FUN&SUN), for example, currently has about 25,000 customers in other countries.
— For the rest of the companies, of course, the figures are much lower. And the amounts that are in the reserve fund cover these risks," said Vladimir Rubtsov, CEO of the company.
The reduction in the number of countries with which Russia has direct flights from 70 to 40 has largely led to this situation, Alexander Osaulenko explained.
— There are friendly countries that are open to us, but we cannot fly to them due to the limited air fleet. There are also certain risks of flights to such countries. For example, the fact that some airlines are under sanctions," noted Podgornaya.
The likelihood that Russian tourists will need emergency assistance is really low, but possible nuances need to be taken into account, said Georgy Grusha, Director of the Department for the Implementation of projects in the field of tourism at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
— The average export will be about 50 thousand rubles. Accordingly, with the funds available in the fund, we will be able to take out about 11 thousand people," the representative of the Ministry of Economic Development warned.
Different tour operators have different degrees of risk in case of unforeseen events, since the sustainability of companies depends on their size.
— Therefore, in general, we are ready to agree that the reserve fund will allow us to cover a significant share of risks. But I would like to have additional protection tools and guarantees, because in some cases the available amount will not cover these risks," Grusha expressed the ministry's position.
Attractive investments
At the meeting of the working group in the State Duma, the issue of the possibility of spending the reserve fund on investment projects was also considered.
Even if tour operators pay contributions in one ruble, the fund will grow to almost 600 million rubles by the end of the year, Alexander Osaulenko said. At the moment, the interest on the funds invested in the fund is about 50 million rubles a year, Yana Muromova recalled. And this money can be effectively used to improve the industry.
In particular, according to Anna Podgornaya, it makes sense to spend them on the development of areas, including domestic ones.
— And this is very important, because today there is no division of tour operators into outbound and domestic tourism. Most companies are engaged in both areas," the expert said.
The fund's funds will not solve all the issues on the market, but they can be spent on projects related to the promotion of tour operators and staff training.
The allocation of funds for investment development is consistent with both state objectives and the goals of the national project, Vladimir Rubtsov emphasized. However, it is important that they are not spent by companies to maintain their own turnover.
— Using the fund's funds with its sufficiency is definitely the right direction. It is necessary to spend these funds in the interests of the entire market and the national project related to the tourism industry," Georgy Grusha agreed with the opinion of industry representatives.
But in order to approach this issue, the market, together with regulators, needs to solve the problem of openness to each other.
— The recent reporting campaign was held with few difficulties, and it is necessary to be confident in the information provided. It is important that all mechanisms are as transparent as possible. Only with this foundation will we be able to move on and talk about the sufficiency of the fund," concluded the representative of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
