Published on: 2026-09-01
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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The portal “Russpass. Business” has launched application acceptance for the annual Moscow Government Award in the field of tourism and hospitality “Guiding Star.” In 2026, winners will be determined in 36 categories, nearly half of which are new. Applications can be submitted until October 9 inclusive. The award results will be announced in December.
The 27th “Guiding Star” award covers the entire tourism industry of the capital. This year, the organizers highlighted seven categories — “Hotels,” “Gastronomy and Shopping,” “Culture and Entertainment,” “Public Spaces and Urban Environment,” “Technology and Future,” “People and Personnel,” as well as “Media.” The contributions of participants to the development of the industry will be evaluated for the period from July 1, 2025, to September 1, 2026.
18 new nominations
In 2026, for the first time, winners will be chosen in the categories “Best Business Event in Tourism” — forum, conference, or exhibition, as well as “Best Industrial Tourism Site” — a site that clearly and engagingly demonstrates production processes.
Highlighting the importance of year-round tourism in the capital, nominations were established for “Best Water and Thermal Complex” — from a bathhouse to a water park, and “Best Venue for Events” — where atmospheric, functional, and unconventional spaces will be awarded.
In addition, awards will be given for the “Best Digital Solution in Tourism,” aimed at optimizing and enhancing travelers’ experiences, as well as the “Best Financial Innovation Solution for Foreign Tourists” — a service that simplifies payment issues for visitors to the capital.
Emphasizing the synergy between the city and entrepreneurs in seasonal projects, the award will also be presented in the categories “Best informational support for businesses participating in city projects” and “For the contribution of foreign business to the development of the capital’s tourism industry”.
Experts’ and viewers’ choice
Out of 36 categories, 17 are competitive: participants submit applications, which are evaluated by a jury. For the other 19 special categories, winners are determined by industry experts and Moscow City Tourism Committee. Among the criteria are quality infrastructure, a high level of service, the creation of safe and high-tech products, as well as an original approach.
The competition committee included representatives from the Russian Union of the Travel Industry, Moscow State University of Sports and Tourism, the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers, the Russian Association of Tour Operators, and other specialized organizations. They will select the best hotels, Russian cuisine restaurants, media about Moscow, and sales specialists in hotels.
Winners will also be determined in the following categories: best experiences for families with children, cinema, bar, blogger writing about Moscow, and domestic tour operator.
The winners of the three special categories — “Best Guide,” “Hotel Administrator,” and “Tourist Police Officer” — are already known. These are the winners of the “Moscow Masters” competition of 2026. In addition, the expert council will acknowledge the best niche souvenir shop, industry collaboration, art project in hotels and restaurants, as well as an international mass media outlet writing about Moscow.
Moscow’s oldest award
“Guiding Star” — one of the authoritative awards in the field of tourism in the capital. From 1999 to 2025, within the framework of a non-profit professional competition, 388 representatives of Moscow’s hospitality industry were honored.
Among the first laureates were the company “Intourist”, the State Museum of Fine Arts named after A.S. Pushkin, the Metropol hotel and restaurant. The nominations included such categories as “For the Preservation of National Russian Traditions in Service”, “For the Best Tourist Insurance Program”, “For Charm and Professionalism in Tourism” (female and male awards).
Every year, the “Guiding Star” award introduces new categories, highlighting current tourism trends, both domestic and global. For example, in 2019, the winners were the “Journey to Christmas” festival and the “Ilya Repin. Retrospective” exhibition at the Tretyakov Gallery. In 2022, the best MICE hotel and Moscow gastro market were chosen, in 2025 — the evening show program and a training project in the field of service, as well as the receiving tour operator for the Asia region and an inclusive excursion project.
Support for participants in the tourism industry aligns with the goals and initiatives of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. Details about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution — at special page.
The new show “This is Moscow. Nice to meet you!” will reveal the image and character of the capitalThe portal “Discover Moscow” is used by tourists from various regions of the country
A large-scale feature appeared on the mos.ru portal special project, dedicated to the development of key sectors of Moscow. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and construction. The special project helps to learn how the capital has changed over the past years, which initiatives aimed at making citizens’ lives even more comfortable are currently being implemented, and what awaits Moscow and its inhabitants in the near future.
On the project page “Culture, Heritage, and Leisure Industry” you can learn about how architectural monuments are preserved in the capital.
Moscow is the cultural center of the country and ranks among the leading metropolises in terms of the number of museums and exhibition halls. The city has established a film cluster that includes the MosKino film plant on Ryazansky Prospekt, the Gorky Film Studio, and the MosKino film park.
Get the latest news quickly in the official channels of the city of Moscow on messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
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