The VII Annual Student Scientific and Practical Forum "Trends and Prospects of Professional Training in Tourism: The Transport Component" took place in St. Petersburg. The forum was attended by first-year Bachelor's and Master's Degree students from the Department of Service Technologies of KNRTU: Kamila Suleymanova, Azaliya Valiakhmetova, and Svetlana Kosolapova, along with their supervisors, Guzel Nurullina, Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, and Ramil Kadyrov, Ph.D. in Historical Sciences, Associate Professor.

The main focus of the 2025 forum was the discussion of key issues related to the development of the transport component in tourism: new transport routes, improvement of the service standards and passenger flow management, as well as the role of modern transport systems in shaping a high-quality tourism product.

The business program of the forum took place at the modern conference hotel, Cosmos St. Petersburg Pribaltiyskaya Hotel. One of the highlights of the first day was a business simulation: students from various institutions formed teams and were tasked with creating a tour package along the Trans-Siberian Railway route from Ulan-Ude to Vladivostok. The technical assignment for the business simulation was developed and provided by the tour operator Amparus Tour. In the team project competition, Kamilya Suleymanova and Azaliya Valiakhmetova, first-year Bachelor’s Degree students from the Department of Service Technologies, along with Svetlana Kosolapova, first-year Master’s Degree student, secured first and third places, respectively. The students developed a youth tour incorporating modern service technologies. The overall scores were based on a combination of factors, including a quiz, the business simulation, and active participation throughout the event.

“We gained valuable experience in how to create a tourism product while considering modern service technologies and the trends in the development of domestic youth tourism,” shared student Azaliya Valiakhmetova, reflecting on her experience.

According to student Svetlana Kosolapova, participating in the forum provided a unique opportunity to exchange ideas with other participants.

“The roundtable discussion organized as part of the forum brought together educators from various regions and levels of education. It allowed us to discuss the challenges of modern education and the development of competencies that meet the needs of today's evolving economy,” summarized Guzel Nurullina.

In turn, Ramil Kadyrov emphasized the value of the event, noting that the practice of organizing nationwide forums helps enhance educational experience through collaboration among regional universities across the country.

“Participation of students and educators in nationwide forums is important because it allows for the development of young people's potential,” said Prof. Elmira Khairullina, Chair of the Department of Service Technologies.