OREANDA-NEWS.March 19, 2012. Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, met leaders of Britain’s Guild of Travel and Tourism over a business lunch at the House of Lords in London. Vladimir Yakunin took part in the event as guest of honour and main speaker, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.  

During the meeting, Yakunin gave a speech that focused on major projects at Russian Railways aimed at integrating the Company into the European and Asian economic space. Yakunin also presented separately the Russian Railways’ possibilities has with regard to the development of tourism by rail.

Yakunin pointed out in his speech that while cultural ties with the past need to be maintained, the problem of communication between civilisations is becoming increasingly important in the modern world. In this regard, rail transport was an important means of communication. The head of Russian Railways highlighted the development of rail tourism, but said that rail was not just tourism, but also the infrastructure for economic development of nations.

Russian Railways cooperates with leading industrial companies in Germany, France, Canada and the United States. Such global collaboration can significantly accelerate the development and introduction of new technologies with fundamentally new properties.

In addition, Vladimir Yakunin pointed out that Russian Railways also collaborates with the British government on reconstruction projects in Russia and the construction of terminals and stations as a socially important centres that meet modern requirements.

The head of Russian Railways also noted that the Company was considering various infrastructure projects, including extending the railway network to Kamchatka and linking up with the railways of the United States via the Bering Strait. At the same time, however, many challenges remained regarding the through capacities of existing lines. All this required a significant investment, said Yakunin, so the Company was actively working in the financial markets and making use of public-private partnerships.

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The Guild of Travel and Tourism in the United Kingdom is an international association of professionals in the field of tourism. The Guild brings together businesses, providing its members, organisations and businesses new opportunities for business development and the establishment of international ties.

The Guild’s President is HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, the wife of Crown Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic of Serbia and Yugoslavia

Michael Wynne-Parker is the Guild’s Chairman and Nigel Bishop its Chief Executive Officer.