By his order, Head of the Republic of Karelia Sergey Katanandov approved the Concept of Development of Tourism in the Republic of Karelia for the Period till the Year 2010 regional target program. Its overall purpose is formation of modern competitive tourist complex. The republic has many favorable factors for its achievement, such as unique sights, northern Karelian culture, secure ecological conditions, favourable geographical position, affinity to large international tourist routes.
Tourist flow in the republic increases annually. There are especially many people anxious to visit our famous tourist sights. Last year more than 177 thousand tourists visited Kizhi open-air museum. It is the highest result for all years. Islands of Valaam archipelago have been visited by about 96 thousand people, and Kivatch reserve received over 65 thousand visitors. By expert estimations, income of all kinds of entrance tourism to Karelia in 2006 has made 3,2 billion roubles, that exceeds the last year's standard by 11.4%.
However there is a number of problems, restraining improvement of the branch. These are insufficiently developed tourist infrastructure, discrepancy of quality of services offered to international standards, price policy, and seasonal prevalence of services. Travel companies, basically, serve people going on vacation within the period from May to October, and there is no enough offers for winter vacation.
Implementation of Development of Tourism in the Republic of Karelia for the Period till the Year 2010 program will allow to increase tourist potential of the region. It should result in 1.6 times tourist flow increase, and 1.8 times growth of income from tourism. Besides, the number of tourist sphere employees will increase, self-employment of population will raise, especially in the countryside. A network of intermunicipal tourist centers will be generated and multipurpose tourist complexes will be created in Karelia. Another aim of the program is development and promotion of regional tourist brands.
The program will be financed from the republican budget, which plans to appropriate 20,46 million roubles, by juridical and natural persons.
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