Tourist flow to Primorye to grow through ethno-tourism

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Preserving the cultural legacy of the Indigenous small-numbered peoples of Primorye, integrating their traditions and crafts into the tourism industry, and visiting their places of residence — these topics were discussed at the conference "Unity of the Peoples of Russia: Preserving Legacy, Developing Tourism, and Promoting Cultural Interaction", held on 4 November at the National Centre RUSSIA in the Primorye region.

The event brought together representatives of the authorities, the Indigenous Udege people, Bikin National Park, and the regional tourism industry.

Today, 20 Indigenous small-numbered peoples live in the Far East, including the Udege, Taz, and Nanai peoples in the Primorye region. Most of them reside in the Olginsky, Lazovsky, Terneysky, Pozharsky, and Krasnoarmeysky municipalities.

"Indigenous peoples are our heritage and our value. We must preserve their culture, safeguard their traditions, and understand their traditional activities. An important aspect is their ability to live in harmony with nature, to coexist without disturbing its balance. All this must be passed on to future generations," said Minister of Tourism of the Primorye region Natalia Naboychenko.

Speakers discussed the traditions and lifestyles of the Indigenous small-numbered peoples, which can not only serve as a key attraction for tourists but also help preserve the authenticity of their culture and promote entrepreneurship among local residents.

"Krasny Yar village is not just a point on the map — it is a place where the traditional way of life of the Udege people continues to exist in its natural environment. Bikin National Park preserves their established livelihoods, their language, folklore, arts and crafts, and legends," said Elvira Geonka, specialist at Bikin National Park.

She noted that most of the park’s staff are local residents. In the past, inhabitants of Krasny Yar village underwent training at the Tour Guide School organised by the Primorye Tourist Information Centre. This enables them to provide professional services to visitors. A Crafts Centre has also been established, where local artisans can sell their handmade works.

There is growing interest in visiting national parks among both Russian travellers and foreign guests. Plans are currently underway to establish guest houses. Guided tours, fishing trips, and souvenir sales all contribute to the region’s development. It is thanks to tourism that 12 new facilities have appeared in Red Yar, including a local community centre and a library.

Udege guests from Vladivostok — Lyubov Passar and Irina Kanchuga — who came to attend the events marking National Unity Day, noted the increasing interest in their people’s culture among schoolchildren of other ethnicities. Children eagerly learn Udege dances, passing on the traditions of this people through movement.

In Luchegorsk, a theatre club stages Udege fairy tales, and the local history museum has created an entire exposition dedicated to the life of the Udege people. Udege speakers believe that tourism is essential for the area, as it will boost interest in both Primorye and its Indigenous small-numbered peoples, allowing visitors to experience their spirit, uniqueness, and self-sufficiency. The development of tourism will also foster education — many visitors still struggle to distinguish between a nature reserve and a national park, or between ethnic and ecological tourism — and encourage the further growth of the territory.

Representatives of the tourism industry have their own perspective on organising such tours. Oksana Zyablova, Director of one of Primorye’s travel companies, emphasised that transport and price accessibility are key factors. Several proposals were made to revitalise tourism in this area, including the introduction of transfers from Luchegorsk railway station to the national park on festive days and the creation of a multi-day interregional route from Khabarovsk to Vladivostok with stops in Red Yar and Bikin National Park.

Natalia Naboychenko stressed that the regional Ministry of Tourism is interested in promoting the culture and traditions of the Indigenous small-numbered peoples and is ready to provide support, while maintaining the culture, authenticity, and atmosphere of each location.