HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE'S TOURISM COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA: CURRENT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Li Wenting, Liu Xun

Heilongjiang Province, situated as China's northernmost administrative region and sharing the longest Sino-Russian border, holds the distinction of pioneering cross-border tourism initiatives with Russia. In the new era of development, Heilongjiang has ascended to a strategic vantage point in advancing northward openness and bilateral cooperation with Russia, thereby possessing unparalleled and unique advantages in the domain of tourism collaboration. The province should proactively align with national policies, positioning Russia as a pivotal partner in its cultural tourism sector, while intensifying cooperative mechanisms to catalyze regional tourism growth. Against the backdrop of the established China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, researching Heilongjiang's tourism cooperation with Russia carries profound significance in accelerating the province’s tourism industry, enhancing Sino-Russian cultural exchanges, and deepening bilateral amity. This paper conducts a systematic analysis of the current state of Heilongjiang's tourism collaboration with Russia, employing a case study methodology to delve into three critical dimensions: tourism service personnel competency, service quality standards, and international tourism promotion efficacy. Building upon empirical findings, rational recommendations are proposed, including: aggressive recruitment and professional cultivation of high-caliber tourism specialists specializing in Russian markets, sustained elevation of service benchmarks through institutionalized training and certification frameworks strategic amplification of overseas promotional campaigns leveraging digital platforms and cultural diplomacy. Concurrently, the study provides a scientifically grounded projection of future development trajectories for this cross-border cooperation. The overarching objective of this research is to advance Heilongjiang's tourism integration with Russia, fortify collaborative synergies within the industry, and contribute to the broader agenda of regional economic revitalization under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Keywords:Heilongjiang Province; Russia; Tourism Cooperation.