News

Deputy Minister Evgeny Kotkin has shared the near-term forecasts of the tourism branch development with journalists.

According to the Deputy Minister, «now, in view of a complicated economic situation, the primary goal is to try to keep the tourist flow in our republic at the level of the last year – up to 650 thousand tourists.» Experts of the Ministry of Economic Development consider that it is possible to achieve this goal due to reasonable price policy. At the same time, the volume of unappropriated investments into tourist branch today is kept at the level of the last year – up to 600 million roubles. 40 investment projects are now at the stage of implementation. Last year such objects were commissioned as the Syamozero Park-Hotel and the second phase of Alekka holiday camp – both in Pryazha region, The 13th Cordon recreation center in Pitkäranta region. The Polar Circle diving center in Louhi region extends. Polar Circle dive-center in Louhi metropolitan region is growing. Reconstruction of Piipun Piha hotel is completed.

This year some decrease in the number of tourists to Kizhi island is predicted, decrease in the number of watercrafts' calls - from 840 last year – to 825 this year is expected. By the way, last year the number of visitors of Kizhi open-air museum has grown up to 205 000 people, that was the highest result ever. Thus, the increase has been achieved exclusively due to the Russian tourists and pilgrims (at insignificant reduction of the number of foreign visitors). A stream of tourists and pilgrims on islands of Valaam archipelago has made more than 110 000 people (7.8% growth to the level of the last year). Kivatch reserve and Vodlozersky and Paanajärvi national parks on results of the year have received about 92 000 people, that is also 9.5% of growth ahead of schedule of 2007.

Evgeny Kotkin has also noted, that in the forthcoming in 2009 tough competition between tourist regions for redistribution of domestic tourists objectively reduced the general stream and volumes of unappropriated investments it is necessary to take the following measures: to stir up the exhibition fair activity, support and promote investment projects in the sphere of tourism, provide scientific and information support of state regulation of tourism development, support development of the system of tourist and excursion personnel training, including in the sphere of rural tourism.

Thus, the guarantee of preservation of stability of the tourist branch development in the republic in 2009, progressive motion to achievement of strategic purpose of the Ministry in the sphere of tourism is continuation of implementation of actions of the Development of Tourism in the Republic of Karelia for the period through to 2010 regional target program in the fullest measure.

Maxim Smirnov
www.gov.karelia.ru