The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is one of the world’s central platforms for shaping the global agenda. The main theme of the Forum 2025 is ‘Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World’. The Forum programme will cover virtually every part of the economy, from manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, education, trade and telecommunications, construction, and logistics to tourism, agriculture, mining, and many other topical issues of global importance.

Visitors from all over the world will gather at St. Petersburg in June, requiring careful preparation from the hospitality industry. Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov spoke about how major business events were driving the city’s tourist development and helping create a new vision of St. Petersburg.

According to Alexey Valkov, business tourism reaches past conferences and negotiations to encompass the cultural environment, good service, food, unique venues, and great memories visitors take with them. “The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is an event of global significance, and my colleagues and I are doing our best to show the city’s best by creating a programme with top-quality content, through cultural routes, culinary offerings, and high-quality service. Guests come to the Forum and fall in love with St. Petersburg.”

Alexey Valkov emphasised the work the Roscongress Foundation was overseeing to this end and the special attention it was paying to business tourists, who tended to be demanding and attentive to detail. “The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum continues to prioritise comfort, accessibility, and variety, from contemporary art exhibitions, special tours, and spectator events to youth sessions and discussions on the future of tourism, human resources, and infrastructure development.”

The SPIEF 2025 programme will also pay special attention to initiatives related to culinary tourism, culture, and regional brands. “One topic up for consideration at this year’s Forum, for example, is the ‘Flavors of Russia’ culinary tour, which is about more than just food, it is about how to include regional products and cuisines in tourist itineraries. We hope to acquaint Forum participants with the taste, atmosphere, and feelings that make up Russia.”

Given the increased demand for hotel rooms at the height of the white Nights tourist season, the Roscongress Foundation pays special attention to the guaranteed accommodation of all Forum participants. Last year, SPIEF hosted over 21,000 people from 139 countries and territories. This year, the organisers of the event are also ready to provide comfortable accommodation for each guest. In addition, foreign participants of the Forum will be able to apply for a visa using a simplified procedure. The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025 will be held in St. Petersburg from June 18 to 21. The forum is organised by the Roscongress Foundation.