Russia Is Building a Digital Travel Service for Visitors from the East

A Million-Ruble Startup

Every year, Russia’s Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises holds the ‘Student Startup’ competition, helping young innovators bring their boldest ideas to life. Irina Kolesnichenko, a graduate of Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University’s master’s program in Translation for International Business and Diplomacy, won this year’s competition with a digital travel guide concept.

Her project received a grant of about $11,000 to build an all-in-one travel service for independent tourists from India, China, and Arab nations. “The platform will be easy to use,” explains Kolesnichenko.

“Travelers preparing for a trip to Russia will choose a guide based on season, destination, and duration, make a payment, and set off feeling confident and safe.”

One Platform for a Vast Country

Russia is a vast nation — fascinating, but also challenging for first-time visitors. Questions such as where to stay, how to book excursions, and what transportation to choose between cities can be overwhelming. Kolesnichenko’s platform will solve these issues with a ‘one-window’ approach.

“Over the years, dozens of Kant University students have turned their ideas into real startups through the ‘Student Startup’ program. This year, a record number of students won. We’re proud of their projects, which create relevant products in technology, energy, and creative industries. Today, the university is not only a place for study — it’s a launchpad for innovation and entrepreneurship, where students can learn, start companies, and bring technology into real markets.”

Maxim Dyomin

Acting Rector of Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University

The project began as her master’s thesis, combining applied linguistics with tourism service development. “During my research, I confirmed the relevance of the project through multiple studies and analyses. Digitalization is the future,” she notes. The platform is currently in development and is expected to go live by summer 2026.

Digital Tools for National Growth

The Kaliningrad student’s project is more than an academic success — it’s an example of how student entrepreneurship supports Russia’s digital transformation in tourism. Modern digital services like this one not only improve the travel experience but also strengthen the competitiveness of Russian regions.

This initiative aligns with the goals of Russia’s national project ‘Tourism and the Hospitality Industry,’ which emphasizes creating digital solutions for visitor comfort and engagement.

Personalized Travel Experiences

In recent years, Russia has seen a surge in IT services for travelers, from hotel booking apps to self-guided tours with audio support.

Kolesnichenko’s application goes a step further — adapting to the behavioral and cultural preferences of travelers from Asia and the Middle East.

This focus on personalization transforms a universal travel tool into a culturally aware platform, in line with global trends toward customized travel experiences. Similar digital guides could soon emerge in other culturally rich regions of Russia, helping make travel more comfortable, informative, and secure. Kolesnichenko’s project highlights how youth innovation, combined with targeted government grants, can advance national goals in tourism and digitalization — while empowering young IT entrepreneurs to redefine how technology connects people and places.