The second international ecotourism forum "Hedgehog" organized by the Tourism Agency of the Republic of Komi with the support of the republican administration and the Federal Tourism Agency was held in Syktyvkar. The initiators of the event believe the nature tourism can and should be the basis of the economy in many Russian regions. The concept of the forum was conceived three years in advance.

      Last year it was dedicated to the promotion of nature-based tourism with the slogan "Simple Solutions". "Common House" slogan was chosen for the current forum, since it emphasizes green constructing, security, eco-friendly consumption, environmentally-friendly food products and ecotourism development in specially protected areas. Opening the forum, the head of the Republic of Komi Vyacheslav Gaiser stressed that declared discussion objectives are equally important for the tourist regions; in this regard, the experience of other countries in the development of natural and ethno-tourism represents a special interest.

      A long-term strategy for the development of tourism is being successfully implemented in recent years. There was registered the "Komi Eco Republic" tourism brand. The new tourist routes and products are under development.