St. Petersburg tourist souvenir competition draws more than 300 entries

A newly launched competition dedicated to tourist souvenirs has drawn more than 300 applications in St. Petersburg, organizers said, as part of a broader international conference focused on tourism, hospitality and creative industries.

The Culture of Tourist Souvenirs competition is being held alongside the 5th International Presentation Conference on Tourism, Hospitality and Creative Industries, which is taking place in St. Petersburg from September 22 to 24, according to TASS.

Showcasing local craft

Souvenir competitions of this kind are typically intended to encourage local artisans, designers and small businesses to develop distinctive regional products that reflect local culture and craftsmanship, while also supporting the broader tourism industry by giving visitors more authentic items to purchase.

The scale of interest in the competition, with over 300 applications submitted, suggests significant engagement from producers and designers across the region. Organizers have not yet announced the full list of finalists or the criteria used for judging entries.

The wider conference is bringing together participants from the tourism, hospitality and creative sectors to discuss trends and opportunities in those industries, with the souvenir competition serving as one component of the multi-day event.