Sochi to Host Ninth International Tourism Forum in December as Russia Expands Focus on Tourism, Hospitality and Resort Development

Sochi will host the Ninth International Tourism Forum in December as Russia expands its focus on tourism, hospitality and resort development. Scheduled for 8–9 December 2026, the event will bring together travel businesses, accommodation providers, tourism authorities and industry specialists to discuss opportunities across the country’s evolving visitor economy.

Sochi prepares for major tourism industry gathering

Russia’s Black Sea resort destination of Sochi is preparing to welcome tourism professionals, hospitality operators and industry representatives for the Ninth International Tourism Forum, known as SIFT 2026, on 8–9 December 2026.

Organised by SOUD – Sochi Exhibitions, the forum will take place at the Mantera Resort & Congress complex in the Sirius Federal Territory. The event was previously scheduled for 17–18 November before organisers announced revised dates and a change of venue.

The two-day gathering is designed to provide a professional meeting point for businesses involved in tourism development, accommodation, hospitality services and resort management. It will combine trade exhibitions with discussions addressing commercial opportunities, operational challenges and the development of tourism infrastructure.

For Russia’s travel industry, the forum offers an opportunity to strengthen business relationships, introduce tourism products and examine developments affecting destinations and hospitality businesses.

Two major exhibitions to support tourism and hospitality

SIFT 2026 will incorporate the 29th International Resorts and Tourism Exhibition and the 25th International Hotel and Restaurant Business Exhibition.

The Resorts and Tourism Exhibition will focus on destinations, travel services, tour operators, accommodation providers and organisations involved in visitor experiences.

Its scope includes coastal tourism, mountain holidays, cultural travel, ecological tourism, wellness holidays and organised excursions.

The Hotel and Restaurant Business Exhibition will address the commercial requirements of hospitality operators, including accommodation management, equipment, professional services and operational technology.

Bringing these sectors together creates opportunities for tourism suppliers and hospitality businesses to establish partnerships across the wider visitor economy.

The combined exhibition format also allows destination representatives to engage with companies responsible for delivering tourism services, from accommodation and transport to food service and visitor activities.

Russian tourism businesses and industry representatives expected

The forum’s published programme identifies participation by professionals representing Russian tourism, hospitality, accommodation and related business sectors.

Among the organisations represented in official speaker information are river cruise operator Doninturflot, Riviera Tour Operator, Sanatorium Kristall, Sirius Hotels, Mantera Academy, property management company RBI PM and online property platform Cian.

The organiser has also published participation-related announcements involving DOM V DOROGU and ProOrder.

However, a distinction remains between companies appearing in the conference programme and businesses formally registered as exhibitors.

The published information does not establish that every organisation represented by a speaker will operate an exhibition stand.

For tourism buyers, the event provides a platform to examine potential suppliers and understand developments in the Russian travel market.

International participation remains subject to confirmation

Although SIFT carries an international designation, a complete official breakdown of participating countries has not been publicly verified.

Russia is confirmed as the host country, with domestic tourism organisations and industry representatives forming a prominent part of the programme.

The organiser’s available information does not establish the number of foreign countries expected to exhibit or the identities of confirmed international delegations.

Some independent event directories identify businesses associated with locations outside Russia. However, these entries do not constitute official confirmation of international country participation.

The final geographical composition of the exhibition will therefore depend on confirmed registrations and information released by the organiser.

This distinction is important for international tourism professionals evaluating opportunities to attend, exhibit or establish business relationships.

Resort development and wellness tourism in focus

Sochi’s established position as a coastal and mountain tourism destination provides a relevant setting for discussions about resort development.

The destination combines Black Sea accommodation infrastructure with mountain resorts, wellness facilities, conference venues and leisure attractions.

These characteristics make Sochi an appropriate location for examining the operational requirements of year-round tourism.

Wellness tourism and health resorts represent another important area within the forum’s broader exhibition scope.

Sanatorium operators, accommodation providers and tourism businesses can use the gathering to explore service development, changing visitor expectations and potential cooperation.

Discussions about resort infrastructure are also relevant to destinations seeking to extend tourism activity beyond traditional seasonal demand.

Cruise tourism, technology and hotel operations

Cruise tourism, digital services and hospitality management are among the sectors represented in the wider forum programme.

The inclusion of river cruise industry representatives reflects the connections between organised travel, transport services and destination tourism.

Technology providers and accommodation specialists are also relevant to discussions about booking systems, property management and operational efficiency.

For hotel operators, professional exhibitions provide opportunities to assess service suppliers, review industry practices and identify potential improvements in guest operations.

Meanwhile, tourism businesses can use conference discussions to examine changing distribution channels and opportunities for collaboration.

The combination of tourism services and hospitality technology illustrates the increasingly interconnected nature of the travel industry.

Business networking and industry cooperation

Beyond exhibition displays, SIFT 2026 is intended to facilitate communication between tourism companies, government representatives, professional associations and hospitality businesses.

Such meetings can support destination promotion, supplier identification and the exchange of practical industry knowledge.

Tour operators may explore accommodation relationships, while hotel businesses can assess services relevant to their operations.

Destination representatives can also use the forum to communicate tourism development priorities and introduce regional travel products.

The value of these exchanges will depend on the organisations attending, the quality of business meetings and the partnerships developed after the event.

What tourism professionals should know before attending

The confirmed dates for SIFT 2026 are 8–9 December, replacing the previously announced November schedule.

The venue is Mantera Resort & Congress, located in Sirius near Sochi.

Tourism professionals considering participation should consult the official forum website for registration information, programme updates and exhibitor announcements.

Businesses requiring confirmed international participation figures or a complete exhibitor catalogue should seek these details directly from SOUD – Sochi Exhibitions.

As preparations continue, the forum is positioned to provide a meeting place for organisations involved in tourism, hospitality, resort services and the development of Russia’s visitor economy.

The Ninth International Tourism Forum in Sochi will provide a platform for industry networking, destination promotion and hospitality cooperation. With exhibitions covering resorts, tourism services and hotel operations, SIFT 2026 highlights Russia’s continuing interest in tourism development. Confirmed exhibitor numbers and international participation details remain important forthcoming announcements.

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