Tourism

In 2004 implementation of the republican target program Development of Tourism in the Republic of Karelia in 2003-2006 aimed at preservation and rational use of cultural and natural potential of Karelia and increase of contribution of tourism in the economy proceeded. Successful development of tourism in Karelia is based on construction of new and reconstruction of existing objects of tourism infrastructure, attraction of investments, first of all, private, for these purposes.

Rendering organizational and methodical support to investors regarding business-planning, land tenure, and drawing up promoted growth of investments which volume in tourism infrastructure in 2004 has made about 400 million rbls. (about 2 times growth to 2003).

Among the largest investment projects implemented and launched in 2004, there are completing of construction of "Black Stones" hotel-tourist complex on Janisjarvi lake (more than 150 mln.rbls. of involved means), continuation of the tourist complex "Karelia" and "Kivatch" sanatorium reconstruction (80 million rbl.), beginning of works on creation of thematic park "Karelia" (the first successful experience on attraction of more than $1 million of foreign investments in republican tourism). In the territory of the republic, in particular in places where the basic tourist potential is concentrated, hotel construction was developed, more than 350 new places for accommodation of tourists has been put into operation. The priority was given to putting into operation of small country hotels and cottage complexes.

International cooperation in the sphere of tourism developed, special attention was paid to start of a network of the small projects aimed at becoming of the branch in districts of the republic. At active participation of the Government of the RK 10 international projects related to development of tourism in Kalevala, Medvezhyegorsk, Muezersky, Olonets, Pitkäranta, Pudozh, Suojarvi districts and Petrozavodsk with the total budget of €2320 thousand have beem implemented. The Big TACIS SBS-Project "Development of Tourism in the Northwest of Russia" has been launched.

Tourism is an important component of inter-regional cooperation. Since December of 2003 Karelia actively participates in work of the Moscow Agreement within which implementation opportunities of the republic in advertising, publishing and exhibition promotion of its tourist potential and attraction of investments extend essentially.

In 2004 joint activity of the Government of the RK and leading tourist companies of the republic on advertising and information promotion of tourist potential and tourist product of Karelia through participation in the largest international tourist exhibitions livened up considerably. The republic has been presented by the uniform stand at the following exhibitions: INWETEX (St.-Petersburg), WTM (London), MATKA (Helsinki), ITB (Berlin), MITT (Moscow), MITF (Moscow).

The second specialized trade exhibition "Hunting and Fishing" took place In September of 2004 in a Petrozavodsk, and in November the capital of the republic has hosted participants and visitors of the fifth republican specialized exhibition "Karelia Touristskaya - 2004".

Activity of the State Establishment "Information Tourist Center of the RK", that is tourist Internet-portal, contributes to promotion of the Karelian tourism on the Russian and international service markets. The network of information tourist centers in the republic develops. In settlements of Kalevala and Chupa such centers already operate, same centers will be founded in the cities of Sortavala, Kostomuksha, Kem, Lahedenpohja, settlements of Värtsiljä, Pryazh, and Louhi. In 2004 work on perfection of the multilevel system of continuous tourist education created in the republic proceeded. In eight establishments of the republic training experts in the sphere of tourism at levels of additional, specialized secondary and higher education, either have graduated or study more than 1200 students.

Summarizing the IIIrd republican competition "Leaders of Karelian Tourist Industry - 2004" that in nine nominations has chosen the best among tourist agencies and entrepreneurs engaged in the tourist activity in the Republic of Karelia has been dated for celebrating the World Day of Tourism (on September 27, 2004).

As a result of the measurestaken it was possible to achieve an essential gain in almost every quantity indicator used at annual monitoring of tourism development in the Republic of Karelia.

On the estimated data total number of visitors in the republic in 2004 has made 1,55 million people (105.4% to the level of 2003) Almost a quarter of them (the highest parameter in the last 10 years) have been 385 thousand organized tourists. Active tourism developed fast (up to 30% of gain of number of organized vacationists).

The number of the organizations and entrepreneurs possessing tourist activity implementation licenses has increased up to 137 (compared to 108 in 2003). About 70% of them develop entry tourism as a priority sphere of their work.

In 2004 influx to the basic tourist objects of the republic has increased. The memorial estate "Kizhi" has received about 180 thousand visitors (159 800 in 2003). For the first time in the last 4 years the number ship calls to Petrozavodsk increased from 123 to 137. Päänajarvi and Vodlozersky National parks in 2004 have received and served up to 5 thousand tourists and visitors apiece. The influx of tourists to the islands of Valaam archipelago remained at the level of maximum recreational loading of 90 thousand tourists and pilgrims. The reserve "Kivatch" has received up to 30 thousand visitors. The number of the tourists visited Byelomorsk has increased from 3 up to 10 thousand people due to introduction of a new high-speed passenger line "Byelomorsk - Solovki".