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The Legislative Duma of Tomsk Oblast
21.05.09. Vladimir Zhidkikh, member of the RF Federal Assembly Federation Council for Tomsk Oblast, Chairman of the Youth and Tourism Committee of the Federation Council, proposed measures to promote social and youth tourism
During the press conference held at the III International Forum “Tourism: Research and Education”, Mr. Zhidkikh revealed his plans on support for social and youth tourism.
The Senator believes that Russia could successfully share the Europe’s experience in issuing discount cards Euro<26 thus enabling the young to enjoy reduction offers in cultural, sport, and travel events.
Mr. Zhidkikh emphasized that ‘we have a lot to learn from Europe, including the practice of issuing international youth discount cards Euro<26 which allow discounts to young travelers when getting accommodation in a hotel, going by rail or visiting a museum.’
This card has been in place since 1987 to provide social and moral support to the youth through discounted rates for goods and services available to card holders, and is valid across 36 European countries. Over 4 million young people, or one out of three young Europeans, save with this card annually.
Vladimir Zhidkikh also pointed out that ‘the youth policy in Europe is largely financed by the European railways.’
As he said, ‘we want to combine our efforts and not only catch up but overtake Europe’, so on July 17 at the State Council Meeting the state youth policy will be announced which will include proposals to improve social legislation in this sphere such as measures on the development of social tourism for children and students.
According to Mr. Zhidkikh, there is a proposal to develop and adopt a federal law “On children and youth tourism” and a law “On social tourism” which would enable millions of Russian families and people with restricted abilities to get involved in tourist activity; help pour additional investments in tourism infrastructure; generate new jobs and increase the flow of revenues to local and regional budgets.
It is important here that trips provided under social, children, and youth tourism programs will not be taxed.
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