News

From April 9 to 11, the 28th International Travel Services Fair "OTDYH-2026" is taking place in the capital of Belarus. The event traditionally brings together industry professionals from around the world. Among the active participants is the Penza Region, presenting its concept "From Souvenir to Event."
The delegation included Svetlana Razuvaeva, Deputy Head of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Development Department of the regional Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Larisa Zheludkova, General Director of "Larieltour" (a tour operator); and Galina Mikhitina, a master of folk arts and crafts and a teacher at the Yu.E. Yanichkin School for the Development of Children's Creativity.
The aim of the event is to attract Belarusian tourists and travel industry professionals to the Penza Region by immersing them in the atmosphere of national festivals and gastronomic uniqueness. The region's exhibition space operates on the principle of a "souvenir shop at a festival": visitors can not only learn about tourist routes but also sample confectionery products, famous maple syrup, and bars of Sura chocolate.
Shelves display Abashevo toys, matryoshka dolls, wooden jewellery, and thematic souvenirs with Tatar ornaments, timed to coincide with the All-Russian Rural Sabantuy, which will take place on June 27 in the village of Maly Truev, Kuznetsk District.
"Belarusian schoolchildren will be especially interested to see the places where Mikhail Lermontov and Alexander Kuprin spent their childhood, whose work they are taught about in their lessons, as well as to visit the homeland of the heroic defender of the Brest Fortress, Andrei Kizhevatov. The Penza Region is always glad to welcome guests!" noted Governor Oleg Melnichenko.
An extensive entertainment program has been prepared for fair visitors. Everyone can test their knowledge of the region in the quiz "Aren't you a Penzyak?" In the "Guess the Taste" game, participants are blindfolded and asked to try chocolate or syrup and guess the ingredient.
Last year, over 8,000 people visited the "OTDYH" travel fair, and more than 600 companies from 13 countries presented their exhibits.
Photo provided by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Penza Region.