The 500,000th visitor to the RUSSIA EXPO spent his spring vacation traveling around St. Petersburg

Matvey from Rostov-on-Don, who in November became the five hundred thousandth visitor to the RUSSIA EXPO, returned with his parents from a two-day trip to our country's Northern Capital. The certificate for the trip was provided to the family by the ANO «Directorate of the Exhibition of Achievements "Russia"».

The program of the trip turned out to be very rich — it included both the most famous classical sights and objects of the new tourist geography of the city on the Neva. In addition, the organizers took full responsibility for the guests' meals and accommodation. According to Matvey's mother, the whole family found the trip a source of the brightest and most unforgettable impressions.

"When we learned that my son became the five hundred thousandth visitor, we experienced a slight shock. And our emotions were even stronger when we were told that we would be going to St. Petersburg, where it had been our common family wish to visit. It is a real miracle: during two days we visited the most significant places of the city — the Peter and Paul Fortress, the historical center, and Kronstadt. Impressions cannot be conveyed in words, they will take months to digest. Many thanks to the organizers for making our dream come true, they managed to make sure that we didn't waste a single minute, the whole time was interesting and exciting," said Tatiana Guzeva, Matvey's mother.

Photo: Provided by the Press Office of the RUSSIA EXPO

The trip was organized by the St. Petersburg Tourism Development Committee with the support of the St. Petersburg travel company Tari Tour. And tickets on a comfortable train for Matvey's family's travel were provided by Russian Railways.

"Saint Petersburg is a city where a good mood is born. The Northern Capital attracts guests with its beauty, history, world-recognized classics and new tourist geography, diversity of offers: from gastronomy to exhibition spaces, and its unique atmosphere. We based the work of our city's stand at the International RUSSIA EXPO on the principle: "Start your visit to St. Petersburg with a visit to the exposition at VDNH". High technologies and creative ideas of the team allow us to tell about many things and in different formats. We are glad that exactly in the Year of the Family, announced in Russia by President Vladimir Putin, our stand is visited by family tourists with children. This was our five hundred thousandth visitor," said Sergei Korneev, Chairman of the St. Petersburg Tourism Development Committee.

The Federal Passenger Company (a long-distance passenger transportation subsidiary of Russian Railways) emphasized that it was especially pleasant for them to give the prize to a family with a child, as support for family travel is one of the company's priorities.

Photo: Provided by the Press Office of the RUSSIA EXPO

"I am very pleased that the 500,000th visitor to the International RUSSIA EXPO was seven-year-old Matvey. The Federal Passenger Company helped to fulfill the boy's dream of visiting St. Petersburg on our train. In addition to the main Russian Railways stand at the RUSSIA EXPO, we demonstrate the latest double-decker cars — compartment and bistro cars. The exposition is often visited by whole families. Children are our most active guests. They are interested not only in the design, but also in the equipment of our cars. Therefore, I hope that Matvey will be impressed both by the walk around the Northern Capital and the journey in our train," said Vladimir Pyastolov, Director General of JSC FPC.

Each of the Exposition's anniversary visitors has already received a valuable prize. On March 20, the Exposition welcomed its nine millionth guest. It was nine-year-old Andrei Batorov. He together with his sister and parents will have a trip to Baikal accompanied by experienced guides. The eight millionth visitor arrived at the Exposition on March 6 — it was fourteen-year-old Vadim Leizer from Tyumen, who came with his parents and younger brother. The winner was awarded a certificate for a family visit to a friendly football match between the national teams of Russia and Serbia on March 21. Vadim and his younger brother were presented with two sets of customized football uniforms of the Russian national team with autographs of football players. And the seven millionth guest Alexei Maximov from Volzhsky, Volgograd region, who visited the Exposition on February 22, received a family trip along the Energy of Ladoga route.