News

From August 5 to 7 within the framework of the Education - Tourism - Development. Russian-Norwegian Partnership in the System of Continuous Tourist Education project Karelia hosted events at participation of Norwegian experts.

Acquaintance of visitors to the republic started with a trip to the most northern region of Louhi. In the POLAR CIRCLE company Norwegian colleagues got acquainted with one of tourist objects of the region, having gone on an excursion to the territory of the diving-center and watched the show with white whales. They have discussed issues of further cooperation, problems and plans for the company development with its administration.

The same day modern condition, problems and prospects of tourism development in Louhi region were discussed at the working meeting with representatives of the region's administration. Head of Louhi municipal region administration A.Tsekhov has told about measures taken for development of small and medium business in the sphere of tourism in the territory. As he has noted, Louhi region has its program of tourism development for 2007-2010 within which scope active work is conducted for creation of a brand of the region, revival of traditions and cultures of indigenous population.

Another excursion was held for experts from Norway on August 6 in the settlement fo Päozersky: they have visited the visitcenter of Paanajärvi national park where they have got acquainted with rich natural heritage of Louhi region. There, in the visit center, there passed the information and training seminar for businessmen of Louhi region. Norwegian colleagues shared their experience in organization and development of tourism in the territory of Northern Norway. Director of Varanger museum (the town of Vardo) Sigmund Spjelkavik has told about mechanisms of creating small local museums and forming tourist products attractive to tourists from all over the world on their basis. Head of projects in the sphere of tourism (Tana, Norway) Marit Sundt has told about enterprises of small and medium business of Northern Norway, opportunities and methods of creation of tourist product, construction of network cooperation in granting tourist services between different organizations, marketing in the tourist sphere.

Woking meeting on August 7 took place in the Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of Karelia. Partners of the project representing the Ministry, Karelian Resource Center of public organizations, and Petrozavodsk branch of Petrovsky college have taken part in the meeting.

Head of the directorate for development of economy of municipal formations, social sphere and tourism Vladimir Chehonin and chief of the department of economy and tourism development Vladimir Gromov acquainted Norwegian partners with the basic measures of government support rebdered for development of tourist complex of the republic, prospects and strategic plans for development of tourism in the Republic of Karelia, experience of development of the Master plan of location of objects and tourist infrastructure in territory of the republic and investment projects in the sphere of tourism. Also intermediate results of the Russian-Norwegian project, its contribution to development of the tourist branch Louhi region were considered there. Participants of the meeting have stated an offer to distribute experience of training experts in the sphere of tourism among residents of regions peripheral from the capital of Karelia for the entire territory of he republic.

Norwegian experts were pleased to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Local Lore, History and Economy, quay of Onego lake, and Kivatch waterfalls.