Participants of the talk show held by the Russian Convention Bureau at the Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum 2022 shared their expertise and specific examples of how the “three pillars” of the ESG agenda - Environmental (environment), Social (social development), Governance (corporate governance) - can influence the development strategy and the formation of the tourist and event attractiveness of the destination.

Chairman of the Expert Council of the State Duma Committee on Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure Development, Scientific Director of the Sustainable Development Direction of the National Rating Agency, expert of the Russian Academy of Sciences Christopher Konstantinidi noted that sustainable development is a balance between economic, environmental and social aspects, and in the current conditions it is coming to the fore plan primarily in terms of maintaining economic stability. “If we talk specifically about the tourism sector and the formation of a tourism brand, sustainability is important for increasing economic efficiency,” Christopher Constantinidi commented.

This position was supported in her speech by the partner of the Center for Strategic Consulting, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Economics, expert of the State Duma Committee on Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure Development Natalia Belyakova. She noted that the ESG agenda is now more relevant than ever and can become a competitive advantage for the regions in the fight for tourists. Natalia Belyakova pointed to specific steps for the regions to develop a strategy in this direction, including consideration of the presence of ESG indicators in the reports of the activities of key companies in the region.

Yulia Verkhushina, head of the Tourism Agency of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, presented her vision of the sustainable development of the industry and the transformation of the region's tourism brand from a purely industrial to an ecological one. In her opinion, the largest companies in the region should be involved in the planning of such activities and included in the dialogue between business and government in order to achieve common goals.

The experience of Polyus, whose largest production assets are located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, was shared by Victoria Vasilyeva, Director of the PR Department of PJSC Polyus. Increasing the region's attractiveness for living and working is one of the company's strategic goals. Viktoria Vasilyeva gave examples in two areas of activity - projects for the development of territories and the construction of infrastructure, as well as projects aimed at creating an eventful attractiveness of the region.

Olga Filipenkova, Director for Strategic Development of the Krasnaya Polyana Resort, spoke about the implementation of ESG principles in the tourism industry. According to her, some tourists are already forming a request for a “sustainable” agenda. The sustainable development strategy was developed by the Resort in 2020 and sustainable development practices are already being implemented in all business processes of the company.

Vice-Rector of the Siberian Federal University Evgenia Turtapkina pointed out the importance of introducing ESG standards into everyday life and the role of educational institutions in this activity.

Sagid Zaremukov, director of the Russian Convention Bureau, presented the industry expertise. “Sustainability, adherence to the principles of the circular economy, support for sustainable development goals is not only a fashionable trend in the event industry, but also a requirement of our time. Since the requirements of event customers are changing in terms of compliance with the principles of sustainable development, event organizers and their destinations must take them into account," Sagid Zaremukov commented.

The discussion was moderated by Daria Ostrovskaya, Member of the Board of the Russian Convention Bureau, Member of the Board of Directors of the World Association of the Exhibition Industry UFI, General Director of the R&C Exhibition and Research Center (St. Petersburg). She noted that the principles of sustainable development allow creating a margin of safety for the long term, and the practical advice of the discussion participants can form the basis of a "reminder" for the regions on using the ESG agenda in the development strategy of the destination.

The participants in the discussion agreed that the sustainable development strategy should become an additional competitive advantage in the fight for tourists and business events. According to the talk show participants, the ESG agenda is a priority for the future and an additional resource for the harmonious development of regions, taking into account the joint investments of business and government in a sustainable future.

The top 30 in the Rating of the Event Potential of Russian Regions, which is published annually by the R&C Exhibition Research Center, at the end of 2021, includes 4 regions of the Siberian Federal District. Among them are Krasnoyarsk Territory (8th place), Kemerovo Region (11th place), Omsk Region (19th place), Irkutsk Region (21st place).

The Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum 2022 is being held in a hybrid format from 2 to 4 March. The main topic of the forum is "Siberia: the economy of the future".