News

April 26, 2011

The prospects of regular passenger boat cruises have been discussed today in the administration of the Novgorod region.

The Novgorod Region possesses a lot of water resources, which are not used to the full extent. It is necessary to organize regular passenger and cruise lines on the rivers and lakes of the region. Such climate prevailed today at the expanded meeting in the administration of the region, dedicated to the development of tourism.

The event was attended by the representatives of construction involved in building and repairing of river passenger ships. They made presentations on the topic. Thus, the general director of group of companies "GAMA" (Nizhny Novgorod) Dmitry Galkin reported on prospects of development of water tourism with the usage of small size vessel and made a proposal to use passenger cruise ships designed by his company for the organization of tourist routes on the rivers of the Novgorod region. As an example he cited the possibility of organizing a cruise from St. Petersburg to Novgorod. According to him, the proposed vessels have a small draft (80 cm), so they are suitable for usage on small rivers. Capacity of such vessel – 40 people.

The representative of the similar company, general director of company "Aquatoria" (Veliky Novgorod), in his turn, suggested more economical and spacious small size vessels - catamarans for 50 and 100 seats, which can be used as a scheduled passenger ships on the directions “Veliky Novgorod - Saint- Petersburg” and “Veliky Novgorod – Moscow”. Value of the vessel with 100 seats in complete set is 78 million rubles.

In general, the administration sets hopes on the involvement of water resources in the development of tourism of the Novgorod region. Previously, officials have discussed the necessity for the organization of cruises, parking lots for private boats and marinas, which should attract tourists from abroad. One of the main obstacles in this area can be a quite complicated border regime.

 

April 22, 2011

Transport infrastructure of the Leningrad region needs investment within the framework of PPP

The Leningrad region needs modern transportation arteries that allow organizing the transportation of both cargo and passengers. This was announced during the Council meeting on sea and transport activities of the Government of the Leningrad Region by Vice Governor Nikolai Pasyada.

In addition, business representatives agree to invest funding in the development of water tourism and infrastructure development only in terms of public-private partnership. "Private business can offer to share the harbor with state structures and it is ready to invest funding in infrastructure, for example in the Kirishi area (that opens a way to Veliky Novgorod), but implementation of these projects is possible if it is based on public-private partnership", - said General Director of LLC “The Russian yachting” Denis Denisov. According to him, namely the lack of infrastructure for small ships and yachts - fuel stations, piers, pass channels - is a limiting factor for development of domestic water tourism.

"We need a regional program, which would indicate the points of development of the small fleet and water transport infrastructure" - expressed his opinion Development Director of LLC “Inter Yacht Service” Denis Sinochkin. He stated that the organization of passenger and excursion traffic on the Neva River in the area of the region it is necessary to have budgetary subsidies, otherwise transportation for residents will be too expensive. Council suggested the Committee on Transport and transport infrastructure to take into account the proposals to create conditions for the work of investors.  

 

April 18, 2011

Minsportturizm: tourism gave only 3% of GDP

The volume of domestic tourist traffic in Russia in the past year amounted to 32 million people, the number is very small, and this figure should be increased, Deputy Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy Nadezhda Nazina said at a meeting of the Public Council on the preparation of the Olympic Games in 2014.

The industry grew during the year by just 1%. Its share in GDP, taking into account the multiplier effect was 6.5%, of which 3% is pure tourism.

The most active flow is to the Black Sea coast, it has grown by 12% (up to 10,5 million people). Nazina recognized that, in comparison with popular among Russians resorts of Egypt and Turkey, Russian leisure industry lacks hospitality. The Deputy Minister urged to improve the quality of service, to revive the practice of travel agencies, to develop public-private partnerships in the industry.

This year, the target programme for development of domestic tourism has launched in Russia, it involves increasing the number of people employed in this area from 1 million to 2.5 million. 7 billion rubles is allocated to the programme.

In October Nazina expressed the hope that by 2016 Russia will be able to take more than 40 million foreigners and to provide 50 million citizens with travel services.  

 

April 14, 2011

Moscow is preparing a tourism development programme priced at $ 9 billion rubles

Long-term tourism development programme in the period of 2012-2016 of the cost of 9 billion rubles will be accepted by the Government of Moscow in the near future, said the chairman of the Tourism Committee of Moscow Sergey Shpilko at a board meeting of Minsportturizm.

"The programme should be adopted in the coming weeks. The budget is 3.5 billion rubles of the nine billion, but we're still going to work on these figures. In a year it will be necessary to make adjustments to this program. Its purpose is not merely to hold the World Cup in 2018 perfectly well in Moscow, but to make Moscow a popular modern tourist center. We understand that this is an ambitious goal, but we need to work on it, "- said Shpilko, without specifying the timeframe for the new programme.

He noted that now the Committee on Tourism is preparing the city for the tourist season.

"We want to upgrade the tourist street orientation systems before the beginning of the season. It is planned to open a call-center, at least on an emergency in foreign languages for tourists, to solve a very difficult problem with the parking of tourist buses, "- stated Shpilko.

According to him, over the past years, Moscow has opened 27 large hotel complexes for 4,5 thousand rooms.

"We are doing everything to bring up the low-budget component of the hotel complex. Every day we hold meetings with investors, fighting for the site. We have investors, the problem is connected mainly to the territories", - told the Shpilko.

He noted that Moscow tourist industry has not yet returned to pre-crisis level of 2008.

“Investment in fixed assets are decreased by 36%. Tax situation is very complicated - the decline is of almost 40%, compared to pre-crisis level. The growth of foreign travel is also very low. Increase of the volume of paid services is many times lower than the increase of the number of trips. It means that the amount of travel increases and the tourist industry no longer earns. Tourist industry has never been in such a bad situation as it is today. Series of events that began with the crisis, has led many companies to serious condition. Moreover, I’m talking about companies that have never found themselves in such a difficult situation before"- said Shpilko. 

 

April 13, 2011

Amendments to the law on tourism will be made before July

The work on the draft of a bill on making amendments and supplements to the law on tourist activity is almost done. It is planned to introduce the draft to the parliament in the spring session of 2011, i.e. before July. This was announced at yesterday's meeting of the CCI Committee of enterprising development in the sphere of tourism by Yuri Barzykin.

"New powers of regional authorities in the sphere of tourism development are included in the legislation as a single line -"creation of conditions for tourism development." Local authorities have no tool for this activity; certain powers and rights are prescribed, but not specified. “We reveal the concept of creation of conditions for tourism development in the bill", - said the Head of the Department of Tourism Ludmila Goltseva. According to her, now, the regions are sending changes, additions, suggestions on the bill to the Ministry. Yuri Barzykin added that his proposals have been already made by Buryatia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Moscow and the Moscow region.

According to Lyudmila Goltseva, key determinations included in the draft, which are not connected with the division of powers in the sphere of tourism, are related to certification of guides and interpreters. In her opinion, it is expedient to follow the same path as it is done with the certification of accommodation facilities. "The order of certification of hotels defined by decree, approved by the Ministry of Justice. Also, an order for the accreditation of organizations that conduct certification appeared. It is necessary to do the same with the certification of guides and interpreters. We have many compellations that the certification is completely different in different regions. People write to us complaining that tour guides are not allowed in museums, because they are not accredited in the region. We want to make guides certificated by the same rules so that they could work on any route, if they have the appropriate certification, "- said Goltseva.

Yuri Barzykin highlighted the most important moments, referred in the bill to the powers of federal bodies of tourist authority. They are the protection of rights and security of tourists, the development of laws in the sphere of tourism, maintaining a register of tour operators, the definition of rules of selling tourism products, development of standards in the tourism, hotel certification and accreditation of interpreters and tour guides, the determination of the content of statistical reporting forms in the sphere of tourism industry. As a result of the meeting, the members of the committee of CCI on entrepreneurship in the sphere of tourism supported the bill. 

 

March 29, 2011

Pulkovo and Moscow Railway Station will be connected by express tramway in St. Petersburg

Express tramway will start making trips for convenience of numerous tourists in St. Petersburg in 2013. Thus, the administration of the Northern Capital, represented by the Governor Valentina Matvienko decided to establish connection between International Airport Pulkovo and Moscow Railway Station. Important task of the transportation of tourists will become the responsibility of express tramway that will run on existing, even though renewed tracks. It is assumed that a new train will be sent every 15 minutes and the journey time will be about one hour at a speed of 60 km per hour. 

 

March 24, 2011

St. Petersburg is getting ready to "accept" sea port

A solemn transfer of ownership of St. Petersburg sea port "Marine Facade", recently built on Vasilevsky Island will be held in late May. At the moment, works on the construction of the ground infrastructure of the port still go on; however, they are expected to be finished in April this year.

By the time of the transfer the port will operate completely within the four terminals - one ferry and three cruise, as well as the seven docks - five cruise, one ferry and one general- purpose cruise-ferry. 211 cruise ship calls and 110 ferries calls in the port are already planned according to the plans announced by the administration of "Marine Facade" in the navigation period of 2011.

In March 2011 a new port of the North Capital won Dream World Cruise Destination 2010 in the nomination "The most modern port facilities". 

 

March 10, 2011

Competition of designing of the concept of creation and development of tourist-recreational special economic zone on the island of Russian is announces in Primorye.

Competition of designing of the concept of creation and development of tourist-recreational special economic zone on the island of Russian in announced today in Vladivostok.

The organizer of the contest is company "Special economic zones" as reported in the press center of the Primorsky Region Administration. Designing the concept will be implemented in two phases. Firstly, the analysis of various aspects of the future zone should be undertaken, secondly, architectural and planning materials should be developed. Tourist-recreational special economic zone "Russian Island" of the Primorye Region is created on the basis of the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation dated March, 31 2010. It is assumed that different types of tourism will be developing here: holiday, sporting, cultural and environmental recreation.

According to experts, the Russian island located only one kilometer far from the center of Vladivostok has special opportunities for attracting tourists. In 2012, APEC summit will be held there. A bridge across the Eastern Bosphorus Strait that will connect the Russian island with the mainland of Vladivostok, the objects of the Far Eastern Federal University and the Maritime aquarium. The Vladivostok fortress including the famous Voroshilov battery is situated on the island. Many convenient bays allow developing water sports and arranging boat trips along the Amur Bay. 

 

March 9, 2011

Russia won 59th position in the world as a country attractive for tourists

Russia won 59th position in the ranking of countries' competitiveness in tourism posted on the website of the World Economic Forum. The list consists of 139 positions; Russia is located between two Latin American countries - Uruguay and Argentina. After taking 59th position in the world, Russia has become the 33rd in attractiveness among the European countries, ahead of Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine.

Switzerland is leader of the global rating, second and third positions are France and Germany. The top ten list also includes Austria, Sweden, USA, UK, Spain, Canada and Singapore. Turkey and Egypt that are so popular among tourists from all over the world are respectively 50th and 75th. In this case, "neighbors" Russia - Georgia, Ukraine and Armenia are at 73rd, 85th and 90th positions. The last lines in the ranking are African countries - Angola, Chad, and Mauritania.

As stated in the report, the WEF experts assessed the countries according to14 items, including infrastructure development, the degree of security, environmental situation, and even the incidence of HIV.

Security level of Russia is 113th, the quality of roads is 125th, legislation and state regulation – 126th. In the field of natural resources, Russia is on 27th line of rating, cultural – 35th. Russian land transport infrastructure number is 95th, position on environmental sustainability – 98th. 

 

February 9, 2011

Kaliningrad to establish ferry traffic with Sweden

The Kaliningrad region and the Swedish region of Blekinge intend to collaborate in spheres of energy saving, culture and tourism.

On February 9, 2011 in Kaliningrad deputy chairman of the regional government Sergey Buchelnikov and deputy chairman of the regional administration of the region of Blekinge Lennart Michael Forsberg signed the plan of joint arrangements for 2011-2012.

This document is an annex to the Strategy for collaboration, adopted by the parties in 2008. But the westernmost Russian region and the Southern Sweden are on friendly terms for 15 years, as Sergey Buchelnikov reminded.

“For this period we have conducted over 100 joint arrangements that brought a number of official and business contacts, — deputy chairman of the regional government said. — I’m sure that the signed document will contribute to further fruitful development of the bilateral relations.”

Sergey Buchelnikov expressed his hope that the Swedish party will get interested in participation in the regional programme for energy saving and environment projects.

“We have gained reach experience in this branches and are ready to share our best practice”, — Mr Forsberg assured.

He actively supported one more initiative of the Kaliningrad party — to contribute to establishment of the ferry traffic between the Kaliningrad region and the Southern Sweden. Maritime traffic will be popular among both businessmen and tourists.

 

February 3, 2011

International meeting on development of cruise and ferry traffic between Norway and Russia took place in Kirkenes

Representatives of the Sor Varanger commune and heads of the Norwegian largest companies, interested in cruise tourism development between the two countries, heads and representatives of the regional tourist business took part in the event.

As the regional ministry of economic development reported, cruise tourism is one of the prospect directions of the tourist branch development in the Strategy for social and economic development of the Murmansk region to 2025.

Today, active work for development of this kind of tourism is conducted on the basis of the port of Murmansk. A range of measures is necessary for creation of the cruise center on the international level: bottom dredging and bank pitching, prolongation of the main dock, reconstruction and expansion of the marine passenger terminal, installation of the crossing point in the passenger section of the port of Murmansk.

Some other projects connected to development of the cruise tourism in the Murmansk region, were also presented at the meeting.

By results of the session it was decided to continue joint work for development of the cruise tourism between the two countries and include the considered projects into the international programme “IESP-PS Kolarctic” that aims at development of collaboration of the regions of the North-West of Russia with Norway, Northern Finland and Sweden in different directions of collaboration on the border territories.

 

January 24, 2011

New ferry line will open between St. Petersburg and Stockholm

Opening of the direct ferry line between St. Petersburg and Stockholm in April will allow increasing the tourist flow from Russia to Sweden by 15-25% compared to 2010, as Director of the representative office of Visit Sveden, state company dealing with tourism in Sweden, in the Russian Federation Alexander Panko reported.

“Besides, if in the beginning 70% of passengers of this ferry will be Russians, by the end of this year it is expected that the share of Swedish passengers will increase from 30 to 50%. This means that the Swedes will visit Russia more actively as tourists”, — Alexander Panko noticed.

He also added that the new advertising campaign that will soon start in Russia, will contribute to increase of the tourist flow to Sweden and the budget allocated by the Swedes for promotion of their country in Russia, “will grow many times compared to the previous year.”

 

December 13, 2010

“Marine Facade” will handle 550 thousand passengers in 2011

Passenger port “Marine Facade” (St. Petersburg) will handle 380 thousand cruise passengers and 170 thousand ferry lines passengers, as commercial director of JSC “Passenger port St. Petersburg “Marine Facade” Andrey Fyodorov reported on Monday.

He said that 7 quays that will handle 12-13 thousand passengers daily will open in the port in spring 2011.

Project for construction of the marine passenger terminal and development of the western part of the Vasilyevsky island provides appearance of new territories with the total area of 476 hectares that will locate not only marine passenger terminal, but social objects and residential and commercial property as well. Besides, the total volume of funding of the construction of the terminal amounts at 29 billion roubles, of which 6 billion roubles are allocated from the federal budget and 23 billion roubles are granted by private investors.

In 2008 the first phase of the terminal began functioning: two quays with onshore facilities, including cruise railway station and port control center. The passenger terminal will be capable of handling about 12 thousand tourists daily (above 1,5 mln passengers annually).

The terminal is expected to bring about 56 mln dollars in the city’s budget annually.

Construction of all the phases of the new passenger port of St. Petersburg will be completed in 2011.

 

December 3, 2010

President of Intourist called for strengthening of supervisory functions of Rostourism 

At the conference “Tourist business in Russia” held by the newspaper “Vedomosti”, President of Intourism Alexander Arutyunov called for strengthening of supervisory functions of Rostourism. He underlined necessity of increasing of the tourism market transparency and reminded of Kapital Tour that admitted its incapacity to fulfill its obligations to clients.

On November 19 the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma for Economic Policy and Entrepreneurship Vladimir Golovnyov suggested granting Rostourism the right to suspend activities of the tour operator in case of financial problems that may result in default on obligations to clients.

He asserted that the situation with Kapital Tour showed that even large companies may face financial difficulties that will result in suspense of rendering services. “This raises the issue not only of social responsibility of business but also of the increasing role of the state in provision of security for the citizens acquiring such services”, — Mr Golovnyov concluded.

 

December 1, 2010

Passports will checked on river vessels of the Leningrad region  

The North-Western Department of Internal Affairs on transport demands passport data from the tourists traveling by the river vessels of the Leningrad region.

Head of the Line Department of Internal Affairs on sea and river transport of the North-Western Department of Internal Affairs on transport of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation Aleksey Denisov suggested addressing the Ministry of Transport of Russia with this question. “Today we haven’t got passport data of the people, who travel by ships. Among them there may be persons who are on the wanted list. That’s why we should possess their passport data,” — explained Aleksey Denisov. Besides, he claimed that while servicing the riverside station within the city “the issue on possibility for checking the citizens by policemen should be resolved on the legislation level” as a passenger security measure.

These initiatives will be submitted to the Ministry of Transport by December 30.

 

November 19, 2010

Medvedev ordered regional governments to support tourism development 

The President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev signed a federal law according to which creation of favourable conditions for tourism development in the subject of the Russian Federation is a task of regional governments, as press service of the Kremlin reported on Friday.

Explanatory note of the draft law informed that absence of such norm in legislation hampers development of tourism and tourist industry in the subjects of the Russian Federation, including complex development of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs. It also doesn’t allow to implement planning and expenditure of money from relevant budgets and search for other funding sources within the frames of medium- and long-term forecasting with account for regional opportunities which hampers development of the respective territory.

 

November 18, 2010

Government of Kamchatka will develop eco-tourism in the region 

Government of Kamchatka started working out a regional programme for development of eco-tourism on natural areas of preferential protection of regional significance. The programme will provide complex construction of infrastructure for allocation and supervision of tourists.

Kamchatka holds the first position among Russian regions in total square of reserves, including offshore zone, and the second position in natural parks’ square.

The largest natural area of preferential protection of regional significance in the Kamchatsky krai is natural park “Volcanoes of Kamchatka” with the area of 2,5 million hectares. It includes natural parks “Nalychevsky”, “Bystrinsky”, “Klyuchevski” and “Yuzhno-Kamchatsky”.

Numerous unique natural complexes, suitable for organization of environment, scientific, ethnographic and extreme tourism are located on the territory of the natural park “Volcanoes of Kamchatka”. 15 — 20 thousand tourists visit the park annually. Not only relevant infrastructure should be created, but a complex approach to development of the territories and effective management of tourist flows should be applied for eco-tourism development. Volumes and sources of funding of the programme are not announced yet.

 

November 17, 2010

2 billion roubles will be invested into “Baikal harbour” in 2011 

2 billion roubles will be allocated for creation of the infrastructure of special tourist zone “Baikal harbour” in Buryatia in 2011. 76% of the sum will be invested from the federal budget and the rest of money will be granted by the Republic’s budget.

This will allow to complete creation of infrastructure of the two sections of the tourist zone — “Turka” and “Peski”.

Special tourist zone “Baikal harbour” is created on the eastern coast of Baikal 150-180 km from Ulan-Ude and consists of five separate sections. Alongside with common resorts, mountain skiing and sea tourism centers will also appear. The first phase of infrastructure of the tourist zone was put into operatioin at the end of October. Nine residents are already registered here.

 

November 16, 2010

Governor of the Novgorod region intends to increase tourism profitability for the region’s economy 

Share of tourism in GDP of the Novgorod region comprises 1,5% and with account for multiplier effect it is 4-7%, as experts believe. These are very low figures, as governor of the Novgorod region Sergey Mitin reported.

“Such low profitability of the tourist industry in the region is caused by the fact that tourists don’t visit Novgorod more than for one day”, — he said.

He considers that guests of the Novgorod region are weekend tourists. Travellers come on weekends and practically all hotels are occupied, thus, tour operators work out routes without spending a night in Velikiy Novgorod.

“We prepare a strategy allowing tourists to stay in the city for a longer period of time. Increasing tourism profitability for the region’s economy is a very important task for us”, — the governor claimed.

 

November 15, 2010

Ministry of sports and tourism considered prospects of tourism development in the region

Government of the Ivanovo region announced tourism development to be one of the priority tasks of domestic and foreign policy of the region, besides, the long term programme “Tourism development in the Ivanovo region in 2009-2011”, which provides creation of health tourist recreational cluster “Plyos”, is being implemented now. In April 2010 tourism department of the government of the region was created. It coordinates the process of development of the tourist potential of the region in all aspects of business and community activities. One of important tasks of the department is monitoring of the process of realization and optimization of the regional long term target programme.

In July by the decree of the government of the Russian Federation №1230 a strategy of the federal target programme “Development of domestic and incoming tourism in the Russian Federation (2011-2016)” was adopted.

According to the decision of the Expert Council for examination of investment projects, the project of health tourist recreational cluster “Plyos” passed expertise and was recommended to the Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation for inclusion into the Federal Target Programme.

Today department of tourism of the government of the region carries out preparation of documents necessary for inclusion of the project into the programme. Private investors and volume of allocations from the regional budget for the events implementation within the project are determined.

 

November 13, 2010

Citizens of border areas of Norway and Russia will cross the border without visas 

In the nearest future an agreement between Russia and Norway on border visa free crossing for citizens of 30 km frontier area between the countries will be submitted to the State Duma for adoption, as Department of information policy and media relations of the government of the Murmansk region reported.

Two years ago Norway established “maritime visas” — multi visas for 5 years for citizens of the Murmansk and Archangelsk regions and the Nenets Autonomous District. The citizens who have already visited Norway and haven’t broken the visa regime, may address the Consulate General to get a visa.

The Department of information policy of the government of the Murmansk region reported that the Agreement on simplification of order of trips of citizens of border territories of Russia and Norway and Common announcement on strengthening of border collaboration were signed on November 1 in Oslo within the framework of the second ministerial meeting of “Northern Dimension” by Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Norway Sergey Lavrov and Jonas Store.

Governor of the Murmansk region Dmitry Dmitrienko called the agreement on border visa free crossing by the citizens of border areas logic continuance of the historic treaty on delimitation of disputed territories between the two countries. The treaty was signed in September this year in Murmansk by the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg, as the official portal of the government of the Murmansk region reports.

 

November 12, 2010

“Peter the First” coming back

St. Petersburg yacht “Peter the First” that was the first yacht in the history to cruise around the Arctic in one season, will arrive at the Lieutenant Shmidt embankment on Sunday.

“Today the yacht is to pass the frontier post in Ust-Luga”, as the organizing committee reported at the ceremony of meeting “Peter the First”.

The world cruise with participation of the yacht started on June 4. During the five month cruise around the Arctic the vessel travelled about 12,5 thousand marine miles.

 

November 11, 2010

Federation Council adopted the draft law on accretion of power of regional authorities in tourism sphere 

Federation Council supported the law that includes creation of favourable conditions for tourism development in the subjects of the Russian Federation into the range of tasks of regional administration.

Head of the committee for regional policy Rafgat Altynbayev asserts that absence of this norm in the legislation doesn’t contribute to tourism development in the RF subjects.

The draft law, adopted on Wednesday, on November 10, 2010, is submitted to the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev for endorsement. Thus, after the document is signed and published, the legislative basis for tourism development on federal, regional and municipal levels will be created.

Deputy Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation Nadezhda Nazina reported earlier that these amendments would allow regional administration to develop tourism.

“Regions couldn’t provide funding for tourism development, because it was considered to be inappropriate expenditure of budget funds”, Ms Nazina said earlier.

Today she believes that amendments will contribute to tourism development on the regional level.

 

November 10, 2010

Kaliningrad tour operators are against the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation 

The association of tourist industry enterprises of the Kaliningrad region is against the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cancel short-term visas for foreign tourists coming to the Kaliningrad region for two days.

Tour operators addressed governor of the Kaliningrad region Nikolay Tsukanov, the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for support. Tour operators claim that short-term visas allow Kaliningrad travel agencies to attract thousands of foreign tourists who are ready to go on an excursion to the Russian exclave during their tour in the South Baltic.

Expert from Kaliningrad Vladimir Abramov believes that actions of Russian diplomats are contradictory. On the one hand, Russia supports visa free regime with the European Union and on the other hand, the country’s initiative is to harden its border crossing. The politologist considers that in order to demonstrate good will, visa regime should be cancelled for citizens of the European Union coming to Kaliningrad.

 

November 9, 2010

Finland will issue about 1 mln visas to Russians in 2010 

Finland will issue about 1 mln visas to Russians this year, as President of the country Tarja Halonen claimed.

“This year we will issue about 1 mln visas to the Russian citizens”, — Ms Halonen said at the press conference after meeting the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday in Moscow.

Speaking about the issue of visa free regime between Russia and the European Union, the President of Finland noticed that the country supports introduction of such a regime in future and today it makes every effort to issue European visas to the Russians as soon as possible.

Ms Halonen added that the major number of visas that Finland issues to the Russians are multi-visas. She admitted that to cancel visa regime between Russia and the European Union, all interested parties should work out practical steps for fulfillment of this task taking into consideration all necessary conditions, including safety requirements.

 

November 8, 2010

Strategy for tourism development will appear in the Primorsky krai 

A strategy for tourism development will appear in the Primorsky krai in the nearest future. The project of the strategy is submitted to governor Sergey Darkin for consideration.

The strategy provides aims, tasks and priorities of tourism development, which government structures and local government authorities will take into consideration while implementing the policy for tourism development in the Primorsky krai. For instance, increase of domestic and incoming tourist flow to the region will be achieved by means of new tourist objects, routes and modern tourist products and expansion of the range of tourist services. Besides, issues of training high quality specialists and modernization and development of tourist infrastructure are considered in the strategy as well.

 

November 3, 2010

Russian tour operators study tourism possibilities of Kaliningrad 

Over 500 Russian tour operators arrived in Kaliningrad to study tourist potential of the region and its use as a transit ground for visiting Poland and other European countries, as head of the tourism department of the regional government Natalia Ryabinina said.

This project is implemented together with Polish tourist organization within the framework of the seventh Polish-Russian forum that will start in the Kaliningrad region and finish in Warminsko-Mazurskie Province.

“We host such a great number of specialists of tourist industry for the first time. It is important for us to demonstrate to our Russian colleagues the splendid places of rest in Kaliningrad. We should use the advantages of our geographic position (the borderline with the European Union) for visiting European countries such as Poland”, — said a representative of the agency.

On the first day of the tour “Combined routes: the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation — Warmia Mazuri of the Republic of Poland” the participants got acquainted with recreation areas on the Russian coast of the Baltic and visited hotels of the resort town of Svetlogorsk.

On November 3 a working meeting with Kaliningrad tour operators who will present various recreation zones on the Russian Baltic and abroad will take place. During the second half of the day the delegation of tour operators will visit the Polish temple Ryn.

 

November 2, 2010

Tourists will surge to St. Petersburg

Governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko announced the start up of the programme for development of such means of accommodation as camping on the Neva river. She asserts that in 2-3 months the administration of the Northern Capital will tender several pieces of land suitable for camping.

Matvienko underlined that organization of camping will contribute to development of the hotel services market of St. Petersburg. Zones for tourists will appear near the city entrance. Territories of Kurortny, Pushkinsky and Petrodvortsovy districts are among possible places for camping location. The Government will lend 10 sections of 0,5 — 1,5 hectares to managing companies for 10-15 years.

The idea of camping development near Petrodvorets or on the coast of the Gulf of Finland may be implemented within the frames of the All-Russian programme for domestic tourism development. In case this initiative will be supported on the federal level, an additional source of funding will probably appear.

Experts believe that first camping will be popular among Finns and only then — among other Europeans who will go to Russia via Finland. For instance, by ferry, because its passengers have got the right for 72 hour stay without visas. Thus, the success of the camping will depend on attraction of the latter.

 

October 29, 2010

First infrastructural objects of the “Baikal Harbour” special economic zone are put into operation 

The first phase of infrastructural objects of the special economic zone of tourist recreational type “Baikal Harbour” at a cost of 430 mln roubles is put into operation in the Baikal region of Buryatia, as press secretary of JSC “SEZ” Roman Chernigovtsev reported.

Investments into construction comprised 430 mln roubles and total volume of investments — 1,4 billion roubles. Construction of the second phase will be completed in summer 2011, after which first residents will enter SEZ.

On Wednesday engineering systems of water supply and sewerage, embankment and production and exploitation base, where management and exploitation services are located, are put into operation.

The second phase of construction also provides objects of infrastructure of the special economic zone of tourist recreational type “Baikal Harbour”. General contractor of the construction of infrastructural objects of “Baikal Harbour” is Tyumen CJSC “Zapsibgasprom”, as R. Chernigovtsev claimed. SEZ “Baikal Harbour” concludes 5 sections with area of 3,7 thousand hectares.

 

October 28, 2010

Putin considers tourist zones to be an important project for development of Siberia 

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced the necessity of new industrialization of Siberia. “Our aim is to create higher standards of life in Siberia in 10 years and make it more popular”, — claimed Putin on October 27 at the session on implementation of top-priority projects in the Siberian Federal District. Prime Minister underlined that the government has the right to require scrupulous fulfillment of plans of construction of new objects and exploration of new deposits in Siberia.

Putin called creation of tourist zones an important project for development of Siberia. The project “Complex development of the Ob river basin” is among top-priority projects. It provides creating and functioning of special economic tourist recreational zones such as “Biryuzovaya Katun”. Today it is one of seven special economic zones in Russia, but the only one functioning and hosting tourists all year round. For the last 9 months about 170 thousand people, including representatives of Russian, German, French and Slovenian delegations, visited it. In spite of the fact that the zone has just started developing, it has already got the adopted development plan and functioning infrastructure. For instance, a new paved line is currently being constructed on the left coast of the river Katun.

The infrastructure of the complex is funded by the government, and tourist and recreational areas are funded by private investors. The external infrastructure of the special economic zone consists of several objects. It is construction of the gas-pipeline branch and gas distribution plant, reconstruction and construction of the road “Altaiskoye-Aya-Nizhnekayancha — “Biryuzovaya Katun”, construction of the bridge crossing the river Katun near the settlement of Aya and reconstruction of the airport complex of the town of Biysk.

 

October 27, 2010

Air-cushion ferries started cruising Amur between the Russian Federation and China 

On Wednesday air-cushion vessels started cruising between the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk and the Chinese Heihe — the cities on the opposite coasts of the boundary river Amur.

Each autumn air-cushion speed vessels commence cruising between the two coasts instead of passenger ships. In contrast to passenger boats, these vessels can cruise on icy surface of rivers. 15 air-cushion vessels will follow the international passenger line Blagoveshchensk — Heihe — Blagoveshchensk. Eleven of them are provided by Russia and four — by China. A ticket to the common room will cost about 1,5 thousand roubles, to the serviced room — 1,7 thousand roubles and to the luxury room — 2,1 thousand roubles.

Speed air-cushion vessels will cruise from Russia to China and back till the beginning of January when ice becomes firm.

Every day several hundred people cross the boundary control point “Blagoveshchensk” to enter China.

 

October 26, 2010

Mexican visa will be free for the Russians 

Russian citizens will be able to get a Mexican visa for free from November 1, 2010. The Government of Mexico will start up an electronic visa system.

An applicant won’t have to come to the embassy: one should fill in an online application form and in some minutes receive a document with a code. This electronic visa is free of charge and will allow to stay on the territory of the country for 180 days. Besides, as the ambassador asserted, the citizens with open US visas, will gain permission to visit Mexico.

The new electronic visa is valid for a single entry. However, the embassy will continue issuing visas for 5 and 10 years. To get a long-term visa an applicant should visit the embassy.

The ambassador hopes that issuing of electronic visas will increase considerably a tourist flow to this country. Thus, about 20 thousand Russian tourists visited Mexico last year and in 2010 this number may grow up to 40 thousand. The embassy plans to increase Russian tourist flow to 70 thousand people next year.

 

October 25, 2010

Archangelsk region and Finland are working out a joint project

A working meeting of representatives of Russia and Finland for preparation of the project “European region — Arkhangelsk tourist ring” was held in St. Petersburg.

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism of the Arkhangelsk region reported that main partners of the project took part in the meeting — representatives of governments of the Arkhangelsk and Vologda regions and Republics of Karelia and Komi. Finnish partners are regional municipal structures of the Finnish province Kainuu and the regional union of Oulu. Head of representative office of the Arkhangelsk region in St. Petersburg Valeriy Sukhoborov, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of the Arkhangelsk region Nikolai Yevmenov, chairman of the regional tourist association Pyotr Larinov represented the Arkhangelsk region at the working meeting.

The project aims at expansion of cross-border collaboration in sphere of tourism by means of joint preparation of the tourist ring, uniting Finland and Russian northern regions. The project provides tour packages offering tours in the cities (Arkhangelsk, Petrozavodsk, Joensuu, Oulu, Kajaani), visiting of historic sights (Solovetsky islands, Kizhi, Valaam, Kivach), active and health tourism, including rest for children. The project also provides seminars in advanced training of personnel of tourism sphere. Implementation of the planned arrangements will allow to increase tourist flows and will contribute to development of transport logistics between Northern countries.

 

October 21, 2010

Poland may open “green corridor” on the border with Kaliningrad 

Warsaw plans to open “green corridor” for Russian tourists in Kaliningrad on the border between Russia and Poland, as Deputy Minister of Finance, head of the Customs Service of Poland Jacek Kapica reported at the second international conference “Customs and business: international and regional aspects of collaboration — 2010”.

“We plan to open “green corridor” for tourists to cross the border without queuing”, — Kapitsa said.

Head of the Federal Customs Service of Russia Andrey Belianinov reported that Russia will discuss this issue with Polish colleagues. “As a rule, heads of the customs services meet once or twice a month to discuss the current issues. Thus, we will have enough time to consider this issue (opening of “green corridor”)”, — he noticed.

The government pays special attention to development of tourism in the Kaliningrad region having no land border with the main part of Russia, but neighbouring with Lithuania and Poland (the EU members). According to the government decree “Development of the Kaliningrad region as a tourist center in 2007-2014” adopted in August 2010, increase of the share of tourist-recreational sphere in Gross Regional Product should grow from 1,5 to 6% by 2014 and the tourist flow should be increased from 390 thousand to 1,5 mln tourists a year.

 

October 20, 2010

New department will manage tourism in the Altai krai 

Governor of the Altai krai Alexander Karlin signed a decree about creation of the Department of the Altai krai for development of tourist-recreational and sanatorium-resort complexes.

The administration claims that the department will contribute much to development of the tourism sphere and establishments of the sanatorium-resort complex.

This department belongs to the executive branch of the Altai krai authority that contributes to implementation of the unified state policy in the sphere of tourism in the region. The department will work out a general strategy for development of the complexes, create investment vehicles, prepare and implement regional target programmes, coordinate activity of executive power of the krai for provision of functioning of tourist-recreational and gambling zones. The department will also represent the region at tourist exhibitions.

Head of the Main Department of Economy and Investments of the Altai krai Mikhail Shchetinin will control the execution of the decree. The regional budget will provide funding for the department.

 

October 19, 2010

St. Petersburg administration is expecting to host 5,2 mln tourists by the end of 2010 

St. Petersburg administration is expecting the flow of 5,2 mln tourists by the end of 2010, as governor of the city Valentina Matvienko informed journalists. She stated that today tourist business develops well. For instance, now we have twice as many hotel rooms as we had several years ago.

The head of the city administration also noticed that during the navigation period 2010 St. Petersburg handled over 400 passenger vessels. She reported that in 2011 construction of the Sea passenger port on the Vasilievsky Island will be finished, which will allow handling more ships. Besides, Matvienko underlined that time for staying of tourists arriving in St. Petersburg by water transport without a visa was prolonged to 72 hours, which made the city “more popular and interesting”.

Speaking of expensive accommodation in St. Peterburg hotels Matvienko reported that she doesn’t support command regulation of prices. “We live in market economy and should follow its rules. All we can set against high prices is increasing of the number of hotels. Now we need more three- and four-star hotels”, — she underlined. The governor also suggested creating tourist camp-sites to improve the situation.

 

October 18, 2010

In the Voronezh region four tourist zones will open 

On October 15 in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Voronezh region a review of the project “Strategy for domestic and incoming tourism development till 2016” took place. The project was prepared by the Department for Entrepreneurship and Consumer Market Development of the Voronezh region.

Experts estimate that the share of tourism in GDP of the Voronezh region is less than 1%. However, the region is still attractive for tourists. It holds the 46th position among 89 federal subjects.

For the purpose of tourist potential disclosure authors of the strategy suggest creating four tourist recreational zones: Voronezh, Central, Southern and Eastern, at which not only traditional kinds of tourism, but also extreme and rural tourism will develop.

According to the report of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, one of the first steps for increasing of tourist attractiveness will be informational tour for representatives of tourist business of the neighbouring regions that will take place in November. Guests will go sightseeing, follow tourist routes and see the existing tourist infrastructure.

 

October 15, 2010

Expensive air tickets hamper development of incoming tourism in Sakhalin and Kurils 

Transport aspect is the main constraint of incoming tourism development in the Sakhalin region, as representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Vladimir Nosov states.

“The Sakhalin region is of great interest to both Russian and foreign tourists. However, it is rather problematic to make effective use of tourist resources of Sakhalin and Kurils today”, — claimed Nosov. He said that on the one hand, there are enough comfortable hotels, meeting the world standards, in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

“On the other hand, transport aspect and especially air tickets prices are the main hampering factor for foreign tourists. Besides, today it is almost impossible for a traveller to reach Kurils” — underlined Nosov.

He believes that well coordinated work of aviation is required, so that a person arriving in Sakhalin could reach Kurils in 1-1,5 hours and get back as fast.

Representatives of Sakhalin travel agencies raised an issue that Russian major air carriers don’t provide them with promotional pack of tariffs for transportation of tourists from the central part of Russia and back. They gave the following example: in August-September 2010 (the most popular season among tourists) a price for an air ticket from Moscow to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk reached 40 thousand roubles. No one will pay such a sum of money to fly to Sakhalin, as tour operators claimed.

 

October 14, 2010

Members of the Legislative Assembly are forging relationships in tourism sphere with Germany 

Development of effective partnership in tourism sphere between St. Petersburg and the German town of Bad Ems was the crucial issue at the session of the Commission for Travel Industry. Mayor of Bad Ems, burgomaster of the Bad Ems region, head of tourist enterprises and healthy centers of Bad Ems took part in the session, as the press service of the Commission reports.

Chairman of the Commission Andrey Chernykh said that the modern St. Petersburg develops relationships in tourism sphere both on domestic and international levels. For instance, the initiative of the administration of St. Petersburg allowing foreign tourists who come to Russia by ferries to stay in the country without visas during three days, was adopted. The deputy underlined that Germany had been a strategic partner of Russia for a long time. The St. Petersburg Parliament has forged strong connections with the Consulate General.

Mayor of Bad Ems Berny Abt and burgomaster of the Bad Ems region Josef Oster thanked the receiving party for its hearty welcome and expressed his hope for further mutually advantageous cooperation.

The parties plan to work out a number of arrangements for expansion of tourist flow from St. Petersburg to Bad Ems and from Bad Ems to St. Petersburg, introduce new cultural and health recreation programmes, including spheres of social and health-related tourism. Implementation of the programmes will allow to considerably expand tourist markets of our countries and strengthen relationships between Russia and Germany.

 

October 13, 2010

St. Petersburg is expecting to host 5 mln tourists by the end of the year 

By the end of 2010 over 5 mln tourists will visit St. Petersburg, as Chairman of the Committee for Investment and Strategic Projects of the “Northern Capital” Aleksey Chichkanov stated.

According to Rostourism, in crisis 2009 St. Petersburg welcomed 2,35 mln guests. Chichkanov said that this year 1,2 thousand new hotel rooms will appear in the city, which will allow to reach the European level.

He underlined that in spite of the positive growth tendency in sphere of incoming and domestic tourism, the administration of the city still has a number of issues to tackle. “We aim at creation of favourable conditions for business in the city, which will lead to decreasing of prime cost of the offered tourist services. It may be challenging: if we don’t solve the problem of growing prices, tourist attractiveness of St. Petersburg will lower”, stated the head of the Committee.

He also added that the administration intends to translate all signs and other “navigation” information into English due to the increasing flow of foreign tourists. “When more foreign tourists prefer individual trips to our city, absence of translated names of streets, main culture-historical objects into English becomes a problem. We haven’t got a special programme for which the administration will allocate certain sums of money, but in the nearest future such programme will be worked out”, — Chichkanov said.

 

October 12, 2010

The Irkutsk region needs a law about tourism 

The Irkutsk scientific center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) suggests adopting a law about tourism in the Irkutsk region and working out a strategy for the sphere development. The decision about submitting of such offer to the Legislative Assembly and the government of the region was adopted at the last session of the general committee.

Head of the social geography department of Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS Sergey Ryashchenko reported on the issue “Tourist recreational natural resource use on Baikal” at the session of the general committee of the Irkutsk scientific center.

Scientists admit that tourism development on Baikal without proper development of infrastructure and consistency many times exceeds the acceptable level of impact on nature. In warm months a lot of cars and tents appear on beaches and there is practically no free space left. After this invasion piles of garbage remain and because of absence of utilization they fall in Baikal.

According to the similar law of the Republic of Buryatia, it “sets economic and legal guarantees of tourism and tourist industry on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia and regulates relations in tourism sphere, tourist industry and sustainable use of tourist resources. Besides, the law considers tourism to be one of the priority directions of economic sustainable development of the Republic of Buryatia and a guarantee of security of lake Baikal as a part of the world’s heritage”.

 

October 11, 2010

First Russian-Polish travel forum opened in St. Petersburg multimedia 

First Russian-Polish travel forum opened in the Northern Capital of Russia on October 11. Over 300 representatives of Polish tourist business and 30 enterprises of St. Petersburg will take part in the forum.

“The most positive moment for the last seven years in relations between our countries in tourism sphere is that Russian tourism turned from shuttle and transit business into the real tourism”, — president of Russian Travel Industry Union Sergey Shpilko announced. He believes that process of development of Russian-Polish tourism is hampered “only by absence of cheep traffic”.

President of Polish Chamber of Tourism Yan Korsak raised an issue of creation a ferry line between the cities of Gdynia and St. Petersburg.

In 2003 a tourist office of the Republic of Poland opened in Moscow for the purpose of development of tourist sphere between Poland and Russia. 500 thousand Polish tourists visit Russia each year and the same number of Russian tourists visit Poland annually.

 

October 8, 2010

Number of tourists visiting Shukotka in 2010 grew 

In Chukotka Autonomous District the tourist season for 9 months of 2010 is summarized. According to the department of sport and tourism of the district, tourist flow in the region for the period increased almost by 2,5 thousand and comprised 22040 persons. The major number of tourists went to Chukotka on cruise tours with stops in towns of Chukotka.

In 2010 nine such stops were performed. For instance, large cruise vessels «Clipper Odyssey» and «Hanseatic» with foreign tourists on board visited the village of Providence and other places in Chukotka.

Business, extreme and ecological kinds of tourism are less popular in the district in 2010. About 70 persons visited Chukotka within the frames of such cruises.

Tourists from 58 countries visited Chukotka. Major number of guests came from the USA, Germany, the Philippines and Australia. They took part in marine cruises.

Profit of the Chukotka Autonomous District from tourist visits comprised almost 11 mln roubles that is 1,2 mln more than last year.

Today 18 tourist operators function on the territory of Chukotka. They are nine local companies and nine organizations from other cities of Russia: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Saint Petersburg, Smolensk, Khabarovsk and Moscow. Prospects for further growth of tourist sphere in the district are closely connected to development of cruise tourism.

 

October 7, 2010

The State Duma will consider the draft law about accretion of power of regional administration in tourism sphere 

Deputy Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation Nadezhda Nazina said that on October 24 the second and third reading of the draft law about transfer of tourism into the joint competence of regional and federal administration would take place in the State Duma.

Adoption of this law will allow to develop tourist infrastructure in regions more effectively and make them more attractive for investors. Besides, possibility of cancellation of temporary registration of foreign tourists from January 1, 2011 is being currently discussed.

Russia takes an active part in international organizations in tourism sphere. Thus, 57 bilateral intergovernmental agreements are signed, 17 working groups function within the framework of international commissions, 13 organizations for collaboration in tourism sector are opened.

Speaking about development of tourism till 2016, Nazina noted that 8 investment projects are included into the federal target program.

“257 applications were submitted. Many of them may contribute to development of tourism in regions, — she stated. — The main reason why they were not included into the program is absence of real investors”.

 

October 6, 2010

The conference “Development of resort and tourist infrastructure in the Black Sea Region” opened in Sochi 

The International conference for the member countries of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation “Development of resort and tourist infrastructure in the Black Sea Region” opened in Sochi.

The official website of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism) informs that the international conference in Sochi has received official support of the World Tourism Organization and will gather participants practically from all the member countries of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Delegations from Albania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine have confirmed their participation.

According to Rostourism deputy regional representative for Europe Kordula Volmuter will represent the World Tourism Organization at the conference and chairman of the permanent secretariat of the organization Preprag Gavrilovich will represent the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation at the event.

Participants of the conference that will be open till October 8, will discuss prospects for tourism development in the Black Sea Region, issues of public-private partnership in tourism, regional experience in development of tourism.

 

October 5, 2010

First visa application center of the EU countries in the Volga region opened in Kazan 

On Monday Ambassador of the Netherlands in the RF Ron Keller opened first visa application center in the Volga region in Kazan.

“Thanks to the center the citizens of Tatarstan may submit visa applications to such countries of the European Union as the Netherlands, Spain, Malta and Denmark without going to embassies”, — Ambassador reported.

He said that in the nearest future “visa regime between Europe and Russia will remain. Therefore, the Russians will still need a visa to enter the Schengen zone countries”.

He added that the Kazan visa center is the sixth. Five visa centers — in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg, — service over 10 diplomatic missions.

Visa centers fulfill administrative function: they collect visa fees, check application forms, prepare documents, submit these documents to embassies in Moscow for endorsement and then issue passports to the applicants. Besides, they keep confidentiality of personal data of each client.

Term of getting a visa may vary from 6 days to 3 months.

Citizens of the neighboring regions and “some countries of the CIS” may use services of the Kazan center.

The administration of the Kazan visa center informed that in the nearest two years VFS plans to open such visa centers in Irkutsk, Vladivostok and, possibly, in Nizhni Novgorod.

 

October 4, 2010

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation suggests canceling registration of the citizens of the European Union who come to Russia for a short period of time 

Registration of the citizens of the European Union countries in Russia is not mentioned in the draft agreement about visa free regime with the EU, as Deputy Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RF Alexander Grushko reported. He said that Russia is aware of the European countries attitude to complication of registration procedure of foreign citizens in the RF. Deputy Minister underlined that today this procedure “doesn’t differ much from the procedure existing in majority of the countries of the EU”.

He reminded that some European diplomats mentioned an issue of obtaining work permit in Russia for the citizens of the EU countries. However, Grushko noted that “establishment of visa free regime concerns only the right to enter the territory of the Russian Federation and the European Union for a short period of time.”

He also stated that issue of getting work permit by European specialists is discussed in the course of collaboration between Russia and the EU. Earlier, at the press conference in Moscow Ambassador of Germany in the RF Ulrich Brandenburg announced that if the RF would cancel procedure of compulsory registration of foreigners it would be a great contribution to visa free regime establishment with the EU. Head of the German diplomatic mission expressed his hope that Russia and the European Union will achieve considerable progress on the way to establishment of visa free regime in the nearest future.

 

October 1, 2010

The Americans got interested in the Russian tourism market 

Next week the delegation of representatives of the national tourist office of the United States “Visit USA” will come to Russia for the first time and will hold meetings with representatives of Russian tourist business in seven cities.

Presentation of travel opportunities to the USA will take place in the largest regional centers of Russia – from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

Within the framework of the seminars, in which over 250 Russian companies will take part, presentations, business meetings and informal socializing will take place. Thanks to the seminars representatives of tourist business will get an opportunity to widen the range of services and find new business partners in the USA, and Russian tourists will get new opportunities of travelling to North America.

Head of “Visit USA Russia” Margarita Babayan says that the decision of the American tourism for officials to make such a large-scale acquaintance with Russian tourist business was caused by a significant growth in the number of travellers from Russia to the USA that comprised 25% in 2008 and didn’t decrease during the crisis 2009.

Experts believe that increase of flow of Russians to the USA not only evokes interest in this country, but also contributes to simplification of the process of getting a visa that a couple of years ago was less available for the citizens of our country.

Ambassador of the USA in Russia John Beyrle explained that 95% of all Russian applicants will get American visa. Number of tourist visa rejections comprises only 5%. 22 thousand visas were issued to Russians citizens from January till July.

Besides, air travel between our countries is getting more diverse with regard to prices and flights. The “Transaero” company has set up new flights alongside with traditional Aeroflot and Delta.

From the end of October this airline company will begin regular flights from Moscow to New York and Miami. Three trips a week will be performed to New York and two trips — to Miami. Besides, “Transaero” becomes the only airline company, performing direct non-stop flights between Moscow and Miami. Market participants assume that due to appearance of the new carrier on the routes Russia — USA the flight prices will go lower.

 

September 30, 2010

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Organization underlined the growing significance of tourism 

In the Japanese city of Nara the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and a session of the APEC Tourism Working Group took place. Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism Alexander Radkov took part in the events. The agenda included investments, development of tourism business, ways to overcome the crisis, creation of conditions for stable tourism.

Heads of delegations underlined the growing significance of tourism for economy. This sphere is an important, and for many countries the main source of income and occupation, and it contributes to diversification of economic life of the society.

At the meeting it was pointed out that the world travel industry recovers from the crisis, and 2010 has become the breaking point. From the national budgets considerable sums of money are allocated for tourism development. In the nearest future the positive tendencies will remain. In this respect it was decided to keep on working for promotion of tourism by improving conditions for business, taking part in new projects’ development and expanding regional cooperation. The necessity for extension of information cooperation including risks in tourism sphere was mentioned.

Alexander Radkov underlined that Russia’s tourism sphere recovers from the crisis with stable growth rate. The government set the tasks for development of domestic and incoming tourism and defined measures for creating conditions for its stable development. In July the government adopted the strategy of the “Federal Target Program” as an important instrument and legislative base of state support of tourism. Russia with its large natural, historical and cultural potential may enter the list of the world leading tourist destinations in the nearest future.

During the APEC tourism summit Alexander Radkov held the discussion with the heads of delegations from China, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Issues of collaboration in development of tourist exchange, support of national tourist exhibitions, professional training and funding of tourism sphere were discussed.

By the results of the meeting the Nara Declaration “Tourism for New Strategic Growth in the Asia-Pacific Region” was adopted. The seventh Tourism Ministerial Meeting will take place in August 2012 in Irkutsk.

 

September 29, 2010

Alexander Khloponin told the senators about prospects of tourism in the North Caucasus 

The federal budget expenses for creation of tourist clusters in the North Caucasus regions will comprise about 60 billion roubles. Alpine skiing and sanatorium resort will be developed in the district, as Vice Prime Minister, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the RF in the North Caucasus federal district (NCFD) Alexander Khloponin reported today during the “Parliament Hour” at the Federation Council.

He claimed that one of the main goals of the government strategy for development of the district till 2025 is creation of “tourist clusters that will allow implementing of the unique natural, climatic and recreational potential of the North Caucasus”.

ITAR-TASS reports that Alpine skiing tourism will develop first, and then sanatorium — resort tourism will be improved.

Prospective territories are determined in every subject of the NCFD. Besides, the government intends to use additional forms of the state support: customs and tariffs measures and creation of special economic zones, as Khloponin announces.

“In this respect the government decision on creation of six special tourist recreational zones on the territory of the district is being currently worked out and will be adopted in October”, Khloponin reported.

Experts claim that these measures will contribute to attraction of approximately 990 billion roubles of private investments.

 

September 28, 2010

Helicopters and aquabuses will transport St. Petersburg tourists 

The guests of the Northern Capital of Russia will use alternative modes of transport. The Russian Union of Travel Industry informs about creation of the Agency for transport infrastructure that will control all the city heliports and helipads and operate several helicopters. Chairman of the Committee on transport and transit policy Nikolay Asaul asserts that this service should become cheaper and more popular.

Speaking about water resources Asaul drew attention to opportunities of transportation of cruise passengers to the main sights of St. Petersburg by water. For instance, “Meteors” already take tourists from cruise vessels for sightseeing tours. This year only 35 such trips have been made, but in the nearest future due to closing of some central bridges of the city for repair works, this number will grow.

Trips by aquabuses proved to be popular and alongside with the routes from Kronstadt and Lomonosov the new routes along the Neva from Rybatskoye to the centre and to Zelenogorsk-Kronstadt-Oreshek will open.

It should be noted that transport issue is one of the main factors hampering the development of incoming tourism in St. Petersburg.

 

September 27, 2010

September 27 is World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day is an international holiday established by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in 1979 in the Spanish city of Torremolinos. The aim of the holiday is promotion of tourism, its contribution into economy of the Global Community, development of relations between nations.

World Tourism Day is celebrated in a great number of countries for more than 30 years. On this day tourist gatherings, festive events and festivals devoted to tourism and tourist business take place.

Tourist sector in Russia is one of the most priority and well developing spheres of economy. Our country possesses a considerable potential for tourism development. On behalf of the Project “St. Petersburg — the sea capital of RUSSIA” we congratulate all the workers of the tourist sphere on this holiday and wish success!

 

September 27, 2010

The Passenger port of St. Petersburg enters the list of the customs stations using “green” corridor

The Federal Customs Service (FCS of Russia) enhanced the list of stations that use the so-called “green” corridor in customs clearance. The corresponding order was registered in the Ministry of Justice of the RF on September 23 and is available on the website of the Federal Customs Service. For instance, the Passenger port of St. Petersburg and the Chernyshevskoye automobile crossing point (The Kaliningrad region) are put in the document that lists 41 stations.

The corridor system presupposes that a person crossing the customs border chooses him or herself, whether to declare goods in the written form or not. When the “green corridor” is chosen, no goods subject to obligatory written declaring should be transported.

The construction of the “Sea Facade” Passenger port of St. Petersburg began in 2006 and in 2008 the first phase was completed. By September 2010 the port has handled about 600 thousand tourists.

 

September 24, 2010

Cruise vessels bring 80% of tourists to St. Petersburg 

Experts state that 80% of tourists arrive in St. Petersburg by cruise ships. In summer 2010 the sea port of the city handled 376 passenger vessels, 75 of which were regular ferry cruises between Russia and Finland.

For instance, from April till September 2010 Princess Maria ferry transported over 100 thousand passengers. It is expected that by the beginning of 2011 this number will grow to 180 thousand. This tendency is caused by permission provided to foreign passengers of cruise vessels to stay in Russian port cities during 72 hours without visa.

From September 10, 2008 to September 10, 2010 the Passenger port of St. Petersburg handled over 600 thousand passengers that is the major part of all tourists, arriving in the city by sea transport. From the beginning of navigation this year and up to the mid-September the port handled more than 350 thousand cruise tourists.

By May Holidays next year St.PeterLine company plans to open a new line St. Petersburg — Stockholm with a stop in Tallinn.

In the last five years the number of cruising Europeans increased by 50% and comprised 4,9 mln in 2009. Thus, last year the number of European passengers of cruise liners comprised 30% of the total flow of tourists preferring this type of travelling. Today European cruise industry brings over 34 billions Euro profit. In 2009 23,8 mln passenger cruise liners visited European ports, which is 80% more than in 2005.

 

September 23, 2010

96 billion roubles will be allocated for tourism development in Russia 

In Russia 96 billion roubles will be allocated for tourism development in 2011-2016, as chairman of the Commission on Youth and Tourism Affairs of the Federation Council Vladimir Zhidkikh reported. He said that this sum is planned to be invested according to the project of the federal target program “Development of domestic and incoming tourism in Russia in 2011-2016”.

He stated that the federal target program “is considered to be anti-crisis and strategically important for the state”. This program will provide regions with an opportunity to develop tourism and work out their regional programs.

In this respect a draft law was prepared by the Federation Council. Mr Zhidkikh hopes that “during the autumn session the law will be adopted”.

 

September 22, 2010

St. Petersburg — Stockholm ferry line may open in May 2011 

By May Holidays 2011 a new ferry line from St. Petersburg to Stockholm will open.

Press service of the Northwest Regional Branch of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) reported at the session of the Incoming Tourism Committee in St. Petersburg that the ferry will also stop at Tallinn.

Besides, another vessel will be put into operation on the St. Petersburg — Helsinki line. It has the same capacity as the ship “Princess Maria”. This vessel can carry 1 700 passengers and 400 automobiles on board.

Over 100 thousand passengers used the St. Petersburg — Helsinki ferry line this year. It is expected that in 2011 this number will grow to 180 thousand persons.

 

September 21, 2010

Tourists will enter Chile without visa 

Visa free regime between Russia and Chile may be set already in September, — Ambassador of Chile in Moscow Juan Eduardo Eguiguren reported. He noted that preparation of the agreement will be soon completed. The head of the Chile diplomatic mission believes that lifting of the visa regime between the countries will lead to increase in the number of tourists from Russia.

However, Russian tour operators don’t share the diplomat’s optimistic point of view.

“Latin America is a rather specific area. It takes much time and money to get there and one can’t speak of a large tourist flow”, — says Yelena Tarasova, expert of the International Travel Club (ITC). She underlines that getting a visa is not a problem even today: despite the seven day term, set by the embassy, the actual term for document preparation does not exceed two days.

“The situation will most likely follow the Brazil and Venezuela scenario — tourist flow will increase, but not significantly — by 10-15% maximum. The countries of Latin America will never be popular among Russian tourists. It is expensive and takes long to get there”, — states head of the Latin office of the “Astravel” company Polina Geller. So, we can’t speak of a considerable increase in the number of tourists. “Cancellation of the visa regime with Chile is still good news for us. It will provide an opportunity to organize tours into several countries of Latin America (for instance, Chile and Peru), which have visa free regime with Russia. This will also simplify travelling from ski resorts of Argentine to other countries of Latin America along the Andes mountain chain”, — says Yelena Tarasova.

 

September 20, 2010

A cruise vessel arrived to Syzran for the first time in seven years  

On the 17th of October a cruise vessel arrived to Syzran in the Samara region for the first time in seven years.

Liner “Vasily Chapayev” follows the route Rostov-on-Don — Konstantinovskaya — Ilyevka — Volgograd — Saratov — Syzran — Ulyanovsk — Kazan. This year a program of cruises along the chain of Russian towns is being developed, which allows to diversify considerably traditional routes and attract tourists. The ship “Vasily Chapayev” stayed in port for three hours. The tourists went sightseeing to the town centre, where the appearance of a merchant settlement is preserved. They visited the local history museum and the exhibition hall. There are 140 historical and cultural monuments in Syzran.

“Vasily Chapayev” could arrive to Syzran thanks to collaboration of the administration of the Syzran urban district and JSC “Samara River Port” (this organization owns the Syzran river port). The town quay and coast infrastructure was recovered.

 

September 17, 2010

A guides guild is created in Kazan 

A non-commercial partnership “Kazan Guides Guild” is created in Kazan. It was founded by the Tourist Information Centre, the National Cultural Centre “Kazan” and the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan. All guides of the city, tour operators, reserve museums, universities and all the concerned persons were invited to the foundation meeting.

The guild is created for development of tourist and excursionist industry in Kazan and the region, protection of interests and professional privileges of guides, improvement of their professional skills and organization of their accreditation. Implementation of the statutory goals of the guild becomes especially important on the threshold of the World Universiade 2013, when thousands of guests will come to Kazan. The articles of association of the guild were confirmed and its chairman — guide with long-term experience Tatyana Ionchenkova, was chosen at the foundation meeting.

 

September 16, 2010

Program for tourism development is adopted in the Arkhangelsk region 

The government of the Arkhangelsk region endorsed the long-term target program “Development of domestic and incoming tourism in the region in 2011-2013” with the total volume of investment over 1,1 billion roubles, of which 57 mln roubles will be allocated from the regional budget exceeding the investments into the suchlike events in the previous years.

The program, prepared by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism of the Arkhangelsk region, aims at creating and developing effective and competitive tourist cluster in the region and increasing the contribution of tourism into the social and economic development of the region.

Main strategies of program implementation are development of tourist infrastructure on the basis of public-private partnership, creation of a system of effective promotion of recreational potential of the Arkhangelsk region, improvement of inter-sector coordination in tourism sphere and introduction of scientifically grounded innovations into the processes of tourism development in the region.

This program will allow to increase domestic and incoming tourist flows into the region by 16% by 2013, attract additional investments into the tourism sphere, increase the volume of paid tourist services by 21% and provide increase of tax revenues from tourist industry organizations into the regional and local budgets.

 

September 15, 2010

Promising tourist projects of the Ulyanovsk region will receive tax remissions from 2011 

On the 14 of September the government panel of the Ulyanovsk region adopted amendments to the legislative acts, regulating the regional law “On strategy for development of tourist business on the territory of the Ulyanovsk region”. After amendments to legislation are adopted, the assets tax will be reduced to 0% and organization profits tax — to 13,5%. Tax cuts will be provided for 5 years.

Head of the office for development of tourism and small and medium business infrastructure of the Department of Entrepreneurship Development of the Ministry of Economy of the Ulyanovsk region Vladislava Slepova states that this law adoption will allow to create favourable economic conditions for implementation of priority tourist projects for improvement of incoming tourism and modernization of tourist service in the region. “First of all, this strategy of state support aims at attracting main entities of tourist industry, specializing in incoming tourism, and to develop collective means of accommodation on the territory of the Ulyanovsk region”, — Ms Slepova notes.

 

September 14, 2010

From 2011 the implementation of the new federal target program for tourism development in Russia will commence 

In three years 7 billion roubles will be invested into development of domestic tourism in the Russian Federation, as the Prime Minister of the RF Vladimir Putin reported. At the conference of the “United Russia” Party for strategy of development of the Privolzhskiy Federal District the Head of the Government said that from 2011 the implementation of the new federal target program “Development of domestic and incoming tourism in the RF” will set off.

“In the nearest three years 7 billion roubles will be allocated from the federal budget for the program implementation”, — Mr Putin stated. He added that 2 billion roubles of the total sum will be allocated already in 2011.

The Prime Minister also underlined that a strategy for decentralization of business, public and cultural life of the country and for efficiency of all the territories of the RF, will be continued. In this respect he reminded that Russia suggested to hold the FIFA World Cup 2018. “If we get this right, we will firstly develop the cities of the Privolzhskiy Federal District — Nizhni Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Saransk — for the needs of the World Cup”, — said Mr Putin.

 

September 13, 2010

The international regatta “Yaroslav Mudry” devoted to the millennium anniversary of Yaroslavl finished on the 13th of September 

The fifth regatta was held in Yaroslavl in the centre of the city on the slip of Volga and Kotorosl rivers. The event was included into the program of celebration of the millennium anniversary of Yaroslavl.

Director of the Yaroslavl Sailing School Sergey Terpigoriev said: “we are glad that city and federal administrations pay so much attention to sailing. The yacht club is renovated, two slips are built, construction of the dock has begun, the territory is covered with asphalt, the road to the yacht club is repaired and improved. Besides, we have purchased a boat for referees and 4 yachts “Optimist”. 2 yachts “Optimist” were provided to our school by the program of the All-Russian Sailing Federation and next year it will provide 3 yachts to us.”

More than 200 yachtsmen from 12 regions of the Russian Federation and CIS countries took part in the regatta. The competition was held among the following yacht classes: “Luch”, “Luch-mini”, “Optimist”, “Kadet”, “Snipe”, sailboard and cruiser yachts.

Deputy mayor of the city for social policy and culture Andrey Murashov said: “Sailing regatta is the only sporting event included into the official program of the millennium celebration and it is symbolic. We believe that young guests of our city, yachtsmen, will appreciate the beauty of Yaroslavl and the citizens will enjoy the splendid sailing festival. Sailing is a family sport. Besides, development of sailing tourism will attract more travelers to our city”.

Deputy president of the All-Russian Sailing Federation Georgiy Shaiduko said: “The Yaroslavl region possesses large water resources, such as the Rybinskoye reservoir, the Volga river and other rivers and lakes. With regard to the existing water areas hundreds of children and adults should go in for yachting here. I hope that this regatta will contribute to development of the sailing infrastructure and children’s yachting sport”.

 

September 10, 2010

Yaroslavl celebrates its 1000-years anniversary 

On Friday a solemn ceremony of unveiling of the monument “To the millennium of the city” started the festive events. Governor of the Yaroslavl region Sergey Vakhrukov noticed that the government of the region did its best for the citizens to celebrate the millennium anniversary. Previously head of the region reported that local administration consider millennium of Yaroslavl to be a comprehensive project for the city territory improvement, which was included into the development strategy of the Yaroslavl region.

He stated that preparation for large-scale events allows to restore and reconstruct historical and cultural monuments, develop infrastructure and attract investments. “Within the preparation for the millennium the fundamental restoration of monuments of cultural and civil architecture was carried out. In 2008 — 2010 83 objects were restored thanks to funds allocated from federal and local budgets”, — said Mr Vakhrukov. Besides, tourist infrastructure of the city is considerably improved and is currently being renovated. In the future 13 new hotels for 1500 persons will be built and 31 hotels for 2585 persons will appear.

“Today tourism holds the fifth place and its contribution to the economy is not abundant, though it develops year by year. I believe that in future tourism will take the second or third place: in 5 years we plan a twofold increase in the number of tourists – almost to 3 mln”, – claimed the governor.

Besides, the head of the region reported that by 2014 thanks to public-private partnership about 3 – 4 billion roubles of extra-budgetary investments per year will be allocated for tourist infrastructure modernization and the total sum of investments will exceed 12 billion.

 

September 9, 2010

Volume of tourist service market in Tatarstan increased 2,3 times for 5 years – to 5 billion roubles

From 2005 to 2009 volume of tourist service market in Tatarstan grew 2,3 times – almost to 5 billion roubles, as the website of the government of the republic informs with reference to Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of Tatarstan Rafis Burganov.

Mr Burganov said that average annual growth rate of incoming domestic tourism flow in Tatarstan comprised 12% before the crisis. “In 2009 the growth rate lowered, still the number of tourists increased by 5% and comprised almost one million people”, — said the minister.

He believes that in recent years tourist infrastructure in Tatarstan developed well. “Today the republic possesses 126 hotels with 5400 rooms and 180 sanatory and health-improving organizations with 5300 rooms”, — reported Mr Burganov.

 

September 8, 2010

The project for Plyos development may be included into the Federal Target Program for tourism development

Investment project for Plyos development passed expert examination and can be included into “Domestic and incoming tourism development in the RF (2011-2016)” Federal Target Program, as the press-service of the government of the Ivanovo region reports with reference to the governor of the region Mikhail Men. The governor said that according to the results of the expertise the Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy of the RF has been recommended to include 8 projects from 6 regions into the draft of the Federal Target Program, including the project of the Ivanovo region “Tourist and recreational cluster Plyos”. Mr Men also ordered the department of domestic policy to amend the regional program “Development of tourism of the Ivanovo region” according to the draft of the Federal Target Program.

 

September 7, 2010

Simplified visa regime for the Kaliningrad Region, Poland and Lithuania 

Visa regime simplification for citizens of the Kaliningrad region and citizens of Poland and Lithuania who would like to visit the region, will lead to growth of number of both international and incoming tourists. Deputy Minister of Industry of the region Marina Drutman expressed this view commenting on the speech of chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel.

She states that simplification will influence the flow of tourists from Poland, Lithuania and Germany. “At the same time the number of travelers going from Kaliningrad to these countries will increase”, – said Ms. Drutman.

She added that the tourist flow may increase due to visitors coming to Poland and Lithuania for one day. After meeting with the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, noticed that the legislation should be amended in order to establish the visa free regime for Kaliningrad.

 

September 6, 2010

Programme for development of tourism till 2015 is prepared in Volgograd 

Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council of Volgograd resolved to confirm the draft decree of the city mayor “On the strategy of development of tourism in Volgograd for the period till 2015”.

Aim of the strategy is to create conditions for development of modern tourist industry in the city and contribute to the city’s economy, for instance by means of taxation, increase in the number of jobs, maintenance and effective use of nature-recreational and culture-historical potential.

The strategy provides involvement of small and medium business into development of incoming tourism infrastructure in Volgograd, improvement of tourist facilities, contribution to modernization of such sectors of economy as road system, building, transport, communications, trade, goods and services production and development of Volgograd as a tourist center.

 

September 3, 2010

Poland to support simplification of visa regime between Russia and European Union 

Visa regime issues were discussed on September 2 in Warsaw at the meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of Russia and Poland – Sergey Lavrov and Radoslav Sikorskiy.

The main issue of the meeting was cooperation between Russia and EU in such spheres as visa regime simplification, including visa relations with Poland. Sergey Lavrov noted that relations between Moscow and Warsaw are developing well. This tendency appeared after the accident near Smolenk, when the former president of Poland Lekh Kachinsky died in a plane crash.

The minister of foreign affairs of Poland assured that the government of the Republic will support the simplification of the visa regime between European Union and Russia. For instance, it is ready to sign an agreement about travel and transportation on boarder between the Kaliningrad Region and neighbouring districts of Poland. It will considerably decrease the number of documents for tourists who would like to visit the neighbouring country.

 

September 2, 2010

Number of tourists who visited Russia in the first six months increased by 17% 

According to the Federal State Statistics Service, in the first six months of 2010 884 thousand tourists visited Russia, which is 17,4% more than last year, as reports the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism.

Number of visitors increased thanks to travelers from China, Japan and other Asian countries. For example, 52 thousand Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first six months of this year, which is 75% more than in 2009. More tourists also came from Japan (+20%), Korea (+12%), Malaysia (+77%), Philippines (+95%). Besides, the number of guests from Israel increased by 37% and from Egypt – by 42%. However, while the Egyptian tourists numbered only 916, the flow from Israel tourists increased to 21 thousand people. Number of visitors from Germany also increased by 9% and comprised more than 123 thousand persons. Germany still maintains its leading position in total number of tourists visiting Russia.

Meanwhile, number of foreigners from the countries from which tourists traditionally come to Russia, decreased. For instance, number of visitors from Great Britain decreased by 23%, from Spain – by 28%, Italy – by 14%, Finland – by 19%. Total number of foreigners who visited Russia in January – June 2010 increased by 2% – to 10,1 mln persons.

 

September 1, 2010

Kama river cruise navigation may finish ahead of schedule 

Kama river navigation turned out to be at risk. Due to unexpected river shallowing the four-decker cruise liner with 150 tourists on board grounded. “Fyodor Panfyorov” liner failed to pass the sluices of the Votkinsk hydro electric power plant. After 24 hours of waiting the ship set a reciprocal course for Perm. However, when the liner came back the tour was continued, though instead of Kazan the passengers cruised to Berezniki. Only a couple of tourists decided to leave the vessel.

It should be noted that “Fyodor Panfyorov” is the only passenger ship in Perm that faced navigation difficulties. Three-decker vessels will continue their cruise according to the schedule. Now all the September cruises of the liner should be cancelled and money received from the sold tours will be given back to the tourists. Despite the rainy weather, specialists forecast further shallowing.

 

August 31, 2010

Cruise superliner arrives to Vladivistok 

On the 1st of September “Asuka II” ocean superliner will visit Vladivostok. Arrival time to harbour station is 4.00 p.m. 720 passengers from different countries are traveling along the Pacific Ocean on board of the giant ship. The liner’s crew numbers 460 persons.

Technical characteristics of this ten-decker vessel are impressive: length – 240,96 m, draft – 8,2 m, displacement – 48,621 thousand tons. A Japanese company operates the liner.

Interesting and rich excursion programme is prepared for guests in Vladivostok. The superliner will depart on Thursday, September 2, at 2 p.m.

 

August 30, 2010

The Irkutsk Region submitted an application for federal funding of tourist projects 

The Irkutsk, Slyudyansk, Olkhonsk districts and the town of Bratsk count on the government support in tourism development. Municipalities take an active part in preparing the regional long-term target programme for development of domestic and incoming tourism in the region in 2010 – 2016. The programme involves construction of general and tourist infrastructure.

The Regional programme provides funding for road, sewage, purification facilities and other engineering infrastructure construction. For tourist objects development of private investment is necessary. This refers to the existing tourist objects that are currently being developed, such as tourist centers in Bolshoy Goloustny and in the Narrow Sea, reconstruction of the section of “Yelantsi-Khuzhir” road and “Irkutsk-Bolshoye Goloustnoye” road. Places of interest that are important for tourism development also drew attention of the government: Ust-Orda, Ust-Ilimsk, Ust-Kut and Kazachinsko-Leninsky district of Irkutsk.

 

August 27, 2010

Putin approved the amendments contributing to ecotourism development 

Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin supported the idea of amendments concerning creation of national parks infrastructure and ecological tourism development in Russia.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Yuri Trutnev informed V. Putin about the fact that such legislative initiatives are prepared and directed to Russia’s Government for consideration.

Head of the Government ordered to “introduce the amendments to legislation in cooperation with environment organizations” and to provide necessary funding in the draft budget for 2011.

Head of the Ministry of Natural Resources noticed that today Russia possesses one of the world’s largest systems of natural areas of preferential protection – 101 reserves, 41 national parks and 69 partial reserves. In the meantime the minister added that “they perform basically one function – environment protection. Environmental education and tourism functions are fulfilled insufficiently”.

Yuri Trutnev believes that there are two reasons for that – absence of necessary infrastructure in natural areas of preferential protection and imperfection of legislation, in which “possibilities for construction of national parks infrastructure as well as of ecological tourism and reserves visiting are not clearly stated”.

When asked the question if the boards of directors of the reserves are allowed to organize eco-tourism, Trutnev answered that according to the above stated reasons “only private single excursions may perform ecological tourism function in reserves”.

Prime Minister reminded that in Russian nature reserves any economic activity is forbidden and in national parks it is allowed only in certain territories. His position is to keep this approach.

 

August 26, 2010

Heads of British tourism will come to Moscow for rowing regatta 

Competitions held with the support of VisitBritain, the Russian Amateur Rowing Association and the British Council will continue the series of events devoted to the 150th anniversary of rowing in Russia.

Regatta will start at the House of the Government of the Russian Federation and finish at the Andreyevsky pedestrian bridge (the Pushkin embankment, the Neskuchny park). Thanks to the central location of the route a lot of Moscovites and guests of the capital will have an opportunity to watch the competitions.

Legendary teams from Queen’s Universities of Belfast and Cambridge (UK) will compete with the best Moscow students, teams from Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries.

 

August 25, 2010

APR forum opened in Vladivostok 

The IV Forum of the Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia Pacific Cities opened in Vladivostok.

This year the community members assembled to discuss the possible ways out of crisis in tourist business. Representatives of more than 20 APR cities from Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii and other countries came to Vladivostok to share experience and opinions on tourists attraction and increase of interest to the cities.

Vladivostok is the only Russian city that is a member of this international tourist community. Today the city government started implementing the Federal law “On development of Vladivostok as the center of international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region”.

Mayor of Vladivostok Igor Pushkaryov noticed that the city government intends to use all the opportunities that the APEC-2012 summit conference will provide. Pushkaryov believes that the main task for improvement of the tourist sphere of Vladivostok is fundamental change in mentality of the city. It is necessary to alter the image of the city that was formerly “closed” and make it a center of international cooperation and tourism.

 

August 24, 2010

Raft-festival “Cup of Katun” 2010 will take place in the Republic of Altai 

Festival “AkTalai Margaan – Cup of Katun – 2010” will be held in Ongudai Region of the Republic of Altai on the 27 – 31 of August.

The competition is held within the international class of vessels Raft – 6 and Raft – 4 among men’s and women’s crews from Russia and foreign countries. Traditional whitewater festival that closes the rafting season in Russia will take place on the rivers Chuya and Katun.

The competition will have two stages: “multiathlon” and “supermarathon”. “Multiathlon” step (Russian rafting championship) includes the following disciplines: qualification, at which a part of river is passed at a high speed; parallel sprint, at which two rafts start a short distance simultaneously; slalom – passing through gates with poles that hang above water, and 18 km long distance, starting at village Maliy Yaloman.

“Supermarathon” race is held on a long distance. The 50 km long marathon will start higher of the cataract Turbinniy on the river Chuya and finish at the cataract Bolshoy Ilgumenskiy on the river Katun.

The festival is organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Enterpreneurship of the Republic of Altai, the Physical Culture and Sports Committee of the Republic, the Federation of Rowing, Rafting and Sports Tourism of Altai and the Head Department of the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Response in the Republic of Altai.

 

August 23, 2010

A cruise vessel hit a barge on the Volga river 

Two river liners almost sank in the Rybinsk reservoir. On its way from Moscow to St. Petersburg passenger vessel “Sergey Kirov” with more than two hundred foreign tourists mainly from Germany and USA on board, hit a cargo barge and got a hole in its hull.

The accident occurred at one of the narrow curves near the Legkovsky cape at 4 a.m. local time. The captain of the cargo ship states that the crash happened because of the cruise liner that was to give way to the cargo vessel according to the navigation rules.

Today investigation on the liners’ crash is carried out. However experts have already called it a miracle that a passenger vessel hasn’t sunk after the received dangerous hole.

 

August 20, 2010

The Minister of Economy of the Nizhni Novgorod Region suggests installing electronic boards in most popular places 

On the 20th of August at the end of the meeting of the Medium Business Development Council Deputy Minister of Economy of the Nizhni Novgorod Region Gennadiy Balandin reported that the Minister of Economy suggested installing electronic boards for tourists in most popular places.

He stated that electronic boards with internet access could be located, for instance, at the railway stations, airports and places popular among tourists. Such electronic boards will help tourists to find necessary information, for example, about places to eat.

Besides, possibility of creating special stalls at which a guide will provide information for tourists, was discussed.

These ideas will be put together in the program for creating information and tourist resort area in the Nizhni Novgorod Region.

 

August 19, 2010

A floating hotels chain will appear in Russia 

A chain of floating hotels may appear on inland waters in Russia, the CIS countries and Europe in the nearest five years. The project was started in spring of 2010 and was initiated by a group of Russian manufacturing companies. About 150 floating hotels are planned to be constructed by 2015.

Every hotel is represented by six detached cottages having common service system (restaurant service, housekeeping, reservation system). Cottages will be open both in summer and in winter because they are well-equipped for living with outside temperature from 30 degrees Celsius below zero to 50 degrees Celsius above zero.

Each floating hotel has a quay for four small vessels – motor boats, jet ski, small motor or sailing yachts. One floating hotel costs about 1 mln Euro. Such hotels and recreation facilities are already open on the Volga river and in the Zabaikalskiy national park.

 

August 18, 2010

Buryatia got down to developing tourism 

The Republic of Buryatia got down to developing tourism sphere. According to official data more and more Russian and foreign tourists visit Baikal. In comparison with the previous year the number of tourists increased by 22%. In this respect new programs and projects for the sphere development are being worked out. In the beginning of September the first international tourist forum “Baikal Welcomes” devoted to development of hotel and restaurant service will take place in Ulan-Ude.

The improvement notwithstanding, tourist infrastructure can’t meet the needs of the holiday-makers fully. First of all it is about the lack of comfortable hotels and the hotels that passed state certification, which are only two. The administration is sure that businessmen will support the development program because hotel, souvenir and restaurant spheres are rather profitable.

The sightseeing program was also renovated. This year all guides passed attestation. The Tourism Committee plans to organize guide courses even for taxi drivers.

 

August 17, 2010

Regular maritime traffic is open between Russia and Abkhazia 

On the 17th of August a crossing point of sea passenger transportation to Abkhazia started working on a permanent basis in Sochi port “Adler”. For the first cruise to Abkhazia officers of the border control of the crossing point “Sochi-morport” registered 59 passengers.

Passenger vessels will cruise between Russia and Abkhazia every day with 150 persons on board. Specialists believe that the alternative maritime traffic alongside with two regular runs of the electric train started in June will decrease the heavy traffic through the automobile crossing point “Adler”.

Formerly, sea passenger transportation from Russia to Abkhazia was carried out in testing regime for a month.

 

August 16, 2010

On the centennial of “Titanic” crash a cruise liner will follow its route 

In 2012 superliner “Balmoral” will follow the route of the famous “Titanic” in honour of the centennial since the departure of the legendary steam ship from Great Britain.

“Balmoral” will heave out of the harbour of English port Southampton on the 8th of April 2012. It will go via French port of Cherbourg and Irish Cobh. On the 15th of April the vessel will reach the place where “Titanic” sank in 1912. A solemn mass will be celebrated in commemoration of the perished.

“Titanic” started its first and last cruise from Europe to America on the 10th of April 1912 with more than 2,2 thousand passengers on board. On the 14th of April at the end of the fourth day of the cruise “Titanic” hit a huge iceberg and sank at 02.20 on the 15th of April. The number of the perished estimates from 1400 to 1517.

 

August 13, 2010

Smog turned out force-majeure for river cruises 

Moscow companies pledge to compensate river cruises to tourists. River cruise companies had to cancel a number of cruises due to the bad weather conditions in Moscow.

On the 6th of August departure of vessels from the Northern river port was forbidden. Thousands of tourists who decided to take a popular cruise had their weekend spoiled. On Saturday departure of vessels was still forbidden. Information about the weather conditions came every hour and cruise companies were continuously changing routes. Still eventually they failed to leave Moscow, though a number of vessels didn’t reach Moscow and the tourists arrived into the capital by buses.

Meanwhile operators are already receiving written claims from the tourists of the cancelled cruises. One or two hour delays of cruises because of fog took place before, but no cruise was cancelled. This situation may badly influence the image of cruises on the whole because tourists were advised to use water transport to leave the smog-covered Moscow.

 

August 12, 2010

In the Arkhangelsk Region seven tourist recreation zones will appear 

The government of the Arkhangelsk Region signed the program for tourism sphere development in the region. The region is to be divided into seven tourist recreation zones: territory of Onezhskiy and Primorskiy districts and Solovki; territory of Ustianskiy and Velskiy districts; Kargopolskiy district and the Kenozyorskiy national park; Arkhangelsk, Severodvinsk, Novodvinsk and the Kego island; Kotlasskiy and Krasnoborskiy districts; Pinezhskiy, Mezenskiy and Leshukonskiy districts; Kholmogorskiy district.

The Project on development of Onezhskiy and Primorskiy districts and Solovki presupposes construction of the Arkhangelsk – Letniaya Zolotitsa road, obtaining a high-speed passenger vessel, construction of quay and other arrangements. This will allow to create favorable conditions for tourists in village Letniaya Zolotitsa and decrease the large number of tourists in Solovki. Guests will live in the village and go on excursions to the archipelago.

The Kego island with all the required conditions for creating an ecologically clean area for beach vacation became a recreation zone. It also provides opportunities for development of children sports and water activities.

The administration of the region will attract potential investors by tax benefits and simplified conditions for business development. For example, documents of an investor who decided to build a hotel will be completed in a shorter period of time. For more exact regulation of investment conditions a special draft law is currently being prepared.

 

August 11, 2010

Following Bulgaria, Latvia and Greece are ready to prolong visas for Russian tourists 

Due to continuous forest fires in the Central Russia the government of Greece decided to prolong Russian tourists’ visas for a month.

It is declared that Russian citizens that are staying in Greece may prolong their visit till the 10th of September irrespective of expiry date of their entrance visas.

It is also noticed that the decision was made jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Citizen Protection – Greece Police Department.

The tourists that are staying in Greece and would prefer to prolong their visit because of the fires may stay in Greece one month longer after the visa expiry date. For example, if visa expires on the 15th of August a tourist may stay in the country till the 15th of September.

Latvian information agencies reported that the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs prolongs visas for tourists from Moscow and Moscow Region that are currently staying in Latvia and would like to stay longer.

Recently Bulgaria has also prolonged visa expiration date for 30 days for the Russian tourists that stay in Bulgaria and wouldn’t like to go back to Russia where a number of regions faced the unfavorable ecological situation due to forest fires.

 

August 10, 2010

Nadezhda Nazina is appointed Deputy Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation 

On Monday the web site of the Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation informed that the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin appointed Nadezhda Nazina Deputy Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation by his decree № 1313-p dated the 4th August 2010.

Formerly Nadezhda Nazina was the Head of the Department of Tourism and International Collaboration of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Russian Federation.

Nadezhda Nazina claims that her main task today is completion of the Federal target program for incoming and domestic tourism development for 2011 – 2016.

“The budgets for 2011 are already signed and now we are thoroughly collaborating with the Ministry for Regional Development and the Ministry of Economic Development on definite projects in tourism sphere that will receive state financing, – said Nadezhda. – We plan to submit the development program to the government for endorsement by the end of this summer”.

Nadezhda Nazina considers creation of branch standards in tourism, personnel issue, reforming the legislation and its improvement in accordance with the world standards to be the main lines of activity of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Russian Federation.

 

August 9, 2010

Smog left Russia without tourists 

The tourist sphere suffered from the unusually hot weather in the capital and smog from the peat fields. While the agencies selling trips to foreign smog-free countries are enjoying their increased profit, the companies offering trips to Russia are counting their losses.

Tourist agencies are already recording refusals from trips to Russia. President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry Sergey Shpilko believes that if the forest fires continue, a failure of incoming tourist market may happen in the nearest future. He states that tour operators are currently adjusting excursion routes, take guests to St. Petersburg and Pskov where the weather is better.

One of the largest tourist agencies reported that today outdoor excursions are excluded from the programs: “We draw up such programs that keep foreign tourists indoors most of the time”, although foreign guests traditionally come to Russia to sea the beauty of Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Golden Ring.

A number of countries recommended their citizens to refrain from trips to Russia for some time. At the end of the week the United States Department of State warned the Americans of the unfavourable situation in the central part of Russia. It is stated in the document that in a number of Russian regions the state of emergency is declared. Thus, one should think over a trip to Moscow and its bordering areas carefully. The warning is in force till the 5th of September.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy recommended its citizens to abstain from visiting Russia. Those who have already come to Russia are advised to stay indoors and use safety masks. Citizens of Germany, Austria, Israel and other countries received similar warnings.

 

August 6, 2010

Foreign tourists may be recommended not to enter Russia because of fires

Some foreign countries consider a possibility to recommend their citizens on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to abstain of their trips to Russia due to continuous forest fires.

Sales director of the cruise company “Vodohod” Andrey Smolin claimed that foreign tour operators are worried about the situation in Russia. “They call us frequently and ask if the planned cruises will be cancelled. It is reported that in the nearest future the administration may decide to recommend tourists not to go to Russia”, – noticed Smolin.

President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry Sergey Shpilko stated that this reaction of foreign countries to the situation in Russia is rather expectable and predictable.

Executive Director of the Association of tour operators of Russia Maya Lomidze claimed that western tourists do refrain from going to Russia, but the cases are rare.

 

August 5, 2010

In Rosturizm a meeting with the Ambassador of Japan in the Russian Federation was held

Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism Anatoliy Yarochkin met with Ambassador of Japan in the Russian Federation Masaharu Kono. At the meeting collaboration of Russia and Japan in the sphere of tourism was discussed. Masaharu Kono reminded that Japan included Russia into the list of priority areas. The Ambassador reported that Japan plans to increase the number of tourists from Russia to 300 thousand persons a year by 2016.

The parties agreed that the state authorities in the tourism branch of Russia and Japan should support the travel industry in exchange of tourists. Mitigation of the visa policy, mutual increase in the amount of information about the countries, development and advertising of the new types of tourism will contribute to strengthening of the Russian-Japanese relations in the tourism branch.

The parties also discussed the preparation to the IV Russian-Japanese conference on tourism that will take place this autumn in Japan.

 

August 4, 2010

Entrance visas in Macedonia are temporarily cancelled

Macedonia unilaterally cancelled entrance visas for citizens of Russia till the 15th of October 2010.

The web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affaires of the Russian Federation informs that for 90 days one can enter Macedonia without a visa, tourist voucher, invitation or letter of guarantee. One should have a foreign passport, an insurance policy and enough money to stay in the country.

 

August 3, 2010

In six months the number of tourists in Moscow increased by 18,4% 

The Tourism Committee of Moscow reports that the statistics of the incoming tourism in the first six months of 2010 is encouraging. According to the official data provided by the Frontier Service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, 18,4% more foreign guests visited the capital (1 870 482), than in 2009, through the Moscow airports.

“Construction of hotels, development of infrastructure as well as advertising Moscow abroad that is currently taking place, will help to improve the situation. This leads to the annual increase in the number of tourists by 10-15%.” – reported Grigoriy Antyufeyev, the Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Moscow.

However, the results of the first six months didn’t exceed the pre-crisis level: in the six months of 2008 Moscow received 3,6% more tourists. By 2010 the capital is going to reach the level of 2008 – more than 4 mln foreign guests. “In the III quarter the number of tourists will stop decreasing and in the VI quarter the increase by 3-4% compared to 2008 is expected.” – states the Tourism Committee.

Germany, France, USA, China, Italy and Great Britain traditionally hold the leading positions in the number of tourists visiting Moscow.

 

August 2, 2010

The Hanseatic league is established in Russia

In Velikiy Novgorod the foundation documents of the Hanseatic league of the Russian cities were signed. The League will comprise of 13 Russian cities – the official members of the Hanseatic League of the New Time – Belozersk, Velikiy Novgorod, Velikiy Ustyug, Vologda that entered the International Hanse during the XXX Hanse days in Pyarnu in June 2010, Ivangorod, Kaliningrad, Kingisepp, Pskov, Smolensk, Torzhok, Totma, Tikhvin, Tver.

The establishment of the official coalition of the Russian cities will allow implementing joint projects in various spheres, mainly in tourism. It will also encourage development and strengthening of cultural, scientific, public and economic relations.

 

July 30, 2010

Research vessel “Academic Fyodorov” leaves for the Arctic

Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, participant of numerous Arctic expeditions Artur Chilingarov arrived in Arkhangelsk on the day when the vessel departed for the eighty-five-day journey. “I have come here as a representative of the President of Russia, realizing the importance of this event.” – Underlined the famous polar explorer.

Artur Chilingarov also noted that the expedition should perform a very important governmental task – define the outer limit of the continental shelf of the Russian Federation.

The peculiarity of the expedition is that its research team consists of the members of the leading scientific centers of the country – the Institute of Oceanology, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. The representatives of Joint Stock Company “Severneftegaz”, one of the leading Russian companies in the sphere of geologic exploration, will also conduct this research. State Research Institute of Navigation and Hydrography of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation will head the expedition. 67 Russian scientists will carry out the research.

In the course of the expedition ordinary hydrographic works will be performed, but the conditions will be extraordinary. For this project navigation and hydrographic equipment on the vessel was modernized. One of the tasks of the expedition is to choose a place for the new floating station North Pole–38. President of the Russian Federation Dmitriy Medvedev supported the organization of such station. Governor of the Arkhangelsk region Ilya Mikhalchuk sets the task to make Arkhangelsk the capital of the Northern Sea Route. For this reason the start of the expedition in Arkhangelsk is rather symbolic.

 

July 29, 2010

Tobolsk has reminded of river tourism

An issue on river tourism development was opened at session of Coordination Council on development of domestic and incoming tourism in Tobolsk. The city is situated at the place of confluence of two large Siberian rivers Irtish and Tobol, however on officials’ opinion river tourism in the city is “in embryo”. In order to move to a new level it will be necessary to develop interregional cooperation. Officials and business representatives agreed in one opinion that river tourism is an upcoming trend.

In order to develop river tourism it is necessary to form the unified tourist product with common pricing policy so this rout could be sold and promoted at international exhibitions. Also there was opened an issue on river cruises, particularly on the rout Tobolsk-Salekhard. Passenger vessel cruising along this rout is frequently used by wild campers but along with it the vessels turned old long time ago and need to be modernized.

Participants have reached a verdict on the need in cooperation with other regions. For example by present day a rout is being developed devoted to Ermak’s Siberian expedition, for its development an agreement is signed between municipalities of the Perm, Sverdlovsk and Tyumen Regions. Still the rout is planned to be a bus one but in perspective it could be transformed into river cruise.

 

July 29, 2010

1st of August is Railwayman Day

On the first Sunday of August in Russia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan Railwayman Day is celebrated.

The Russian Federation possesses one of the biggest railway systems in the world. Railway transport has a strategic impact, as it forms the basis of transport and logistics branch of the country’s economy.

On behalf of the Project “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA” we congratulate all the staff and stagers of the railway branch on their professional holiday! We wish you and your family every success and all the best!

 

July 28, 2010

Greece will simplify the visa regime for Russian tourists

It’s possible that in the nearest future the six-month multi visas will be given not only to those who visited Greece several times, but also to all Russian applicants. If a tourist mentions in the application form, that he would like to get a multi visa, most likely it will be given to him. In 2009 Russian tourists got 250 thousand Greek visas and in six months of this year – 177 thousand. It is expected that this year the number of tourists in Greece will increase approximately by one third.

The Greek consulate is preparing for handling a great number of applications. Additional branches of the visa application center will be opened in million cities. Today such branches are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk.

 

July 27, 2010

Russia will put almost 100 billion rubles into domestic and incoming tourism

The government of Russia has approved the conception of Federal Target Program “Development of domestic and incoming tourism in the Russian Federation” for the years 2011-2016. According to the document, 96 billion roubles will be given by the budget to finance the program. The conception presupposes the development of various kinds of tourism on the territory of Russia: beach tourism, mountain skiing tourism, hiking, water activities, pass hopping, sailing tourism, equine tourism and bicycle touring.

Much attention is paid to the development of sea and river cruises. At present, more than 100 motorships with capacity 150-300 persons sail on the Russian water routes. Such tourism is well developed in the center of European Russia, in the north-west, in Volga region and in the south of the country. The authors of the conception believe that Siberia and Russian Far East are also perspective for the development of this kind of tourism.

Moreover, at present, worn-out state of ships and infrastructure of quays and also some parts of domestic water routes, where passage for shipping is complicated, prevent the development of cruise travel. The authors of the conception state that the development of this kind of tourism will help to attract additionally 1 mln of Russian and foreign tourists a year.

The authors of the conception note that by the year 2020 the Russian Federation can stand among the ten most attractive countries for the tourists. For this purpose a number of industrial problems should be solved: the absence of long-term credit instruments available for investors (for example, project financing) with attractive interest rates, allowing to cover investments into objects of tourist-recreational complex in the acceptable period of time.

 

July 26, 2010

Ice-breaker of FSUE “Rosmorport” for the first time carries tourists to Arctic

On 27-th of July 2010 diesel-driven ice-breaker “Captain Dranitsyn” is going to leave to the first tourist cruise from Murmansk to the Frantz Josef Land. There will be on board about 120 tourists who will have 10-days trip at Arctic.

Let us note that in August 2009 ice-breaker “Captain Dranitsyn” took part in international expedition where Russian, Norwegian, Canadian and German scientists participated. Scientist from the board of ice-breaker took complex research of oceanic bottom at the region of Spitsbergen, Kara, Barents and Laptev seas and also got complex information on formation of current climatic changes in Arctic.

 

July 23, 2010

IX Upper Volgian yacht regatta – start is soon

From 11 till 15 of August in Konakovo town at Tver region in water territory of Ivankovskoye reservoir the IX Upper Volgian yacht regatta for the prize of Governor of the Tver Region will be held.

Yacht races have been taking place annually at resort area “Moscow sea” since 2002. Up to 2004 among their participants were principally yachtsmen from Tver, Konakovo and Dubna and later they were joined with Moscow racing fleet. The number of famous and award-winning sportsmen increased dramatically that allowed Upper Volgian yacht regatta to enter top five of yacht races of the country.

This year for the first time program of official races includes so called kid’s regatta where following the competition results will be defined winners in several classes of small size vessels. Governor of the Tver Region Dmitry Zelenin will arrive specially to reward the best, ceremony will be held on August 14.

 

July 22, 2010

Kamchatka enjoys popularity among foreign tourists

In the first half of 2010 Kamchatka Region was visited by 2,846 thousand foreign tourists from 51 countries. Six leading countries in amount of tourists who visited Kamchatka are USA (697), Republic of Korea (183), Canada (182), Japan (165), Germany (148) and France (125).

Moreover it is interesting to note that since the beginning of the tourist season two cruise vessels have entered port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. They are motor vessels “Amsterdam” (880 passengers) and “Clipper Odyssey” (106 passengers). By the way the latter on July 5 came to the coast where village Nikolskoye is situated, there travelers had a chance to see famous rookery of seals, visit museum where skeleton of Steller's sea cow is exhibited.

Interest of foreigners to the Kamchatka Region in the recent time could not be considered entirely accidental as Kamchatka not once has been represented at the most large international tourist exhibitions in Russia and abroad.

 

July 21, 2010

High-class stop places will appear at the Ural river Chusovaya

Next year at Chusovaya river tourist town suitable for comfortable after rafting rest could appear. Ural entrepreneurs are intended to attract VIP-tourists to high-class routs that suppose comfort, infrastructure, good accommodation conditions. By present time tour business participants work out a range of projects that include equipped parking places – for example at Chusovaya river and in the park “Deer streams”. They could be having realized next year. Particularly one of landowners plans to build a tourist village near Chusovoye where tourists will be able to rent catamarans and have a rest during and after rafting.

In whole amount of tourists at Ural increases year after year. Whereas in 2006 “Deer streams” park was visited by 22 thousand 395 people, in 2009 the number of tourists gained 47 thousand. Last spring about 30 thousand people rafted along Chusovaya river and 5 thousand tourists walked along path to Talkov stone (“Bazhov places”).

 

July 20, 2010

Olkhonsky tourist center is planned to be created at the Irkutsk Region

Irkutsk Region suggests including into federal target program “Development of incoming and domestic tourism in the Russian Federation” a project on creation of Olkhonsky tourist center at the Maloe sea.

It is going to be a universal tourist-recreation center, it is planned to build 744 objects for tourists accommodation for 5900 seats including 154 cottages with a capacity of 3-10 people.

Taking into consideration that main tourist resources are localized along Baikal coast first of all there will be involved territories joint to the lake. Maximum building area is 237 thousand sq. m. Anticipated tourist flow will be about 316 thousand people in a year. By present time Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy has worked out a project of federal target program “Development of incoming and domestic tourism in the Russian Federation” (2011-2016) that will be presented at the VI Baikal Economic Forum. Specific feature of this document is targeting at development of tourism branch due to state-private partnership and active participation of the country in creation of engineering infrastructure.

 

July 19, 2010

New tourist rout at Altai

Republic of Altai opens new tourist rout “Altai reserved”, the first tourist group is going to pass it through on July 26.

Two weeks rout “Altai reserved” runs through all specially protected territories of the republic — seven nature parks and reserves — and covers almost entire territory. Tourists travel along the rout by motor transport and ship on the Teletskoye lake. Excursion includes rafting, walking excursions to natural, historical and cultural curiosities. Tourist will be accommodated at guest houses and only two nights they will spend in the tents.

Ecology-tourist rout “Altai reserved” has been created on the grant of World Wildlife Fund. The grant was gained by republican public union of tour operators “Altai tourist agreement” that unites 40 travel companies. The rout is developed by specialist of several Altai travel and ecology companies involving European experts.

 

July 16, 2010

European Parliament has approved rules for protection of rights of ship and ferry passengers

European Parliament has approved new rules for protection of rights of ship and ferry passengers that will come into operation in countries of European Union starting from 2012. New requirements that cover water transport caring more than 12 people provide payments of an indemnity for passengers in case of ship delay. Particularly in case of cruise cancellation or delay in departure for more than 90 minutes (excluding cases when delay is caused by outstanding weather conditions) ship or ferry passengers have a right to be carried by carrier-company to the destination point by any other mode of transport or may have a full compensation of the ticket price.

Moreover water transport passengers no matter if they go on cruise or not in case of ship or ferry delay may have a compensation at the rate of 25% of the ticket price on condition that: transport arrived at destination point with delay of at least one hour in a trip of maximum four hours long; with a delay of at least two hours in a trip of four-eight hours long; with a delay of at least three hours in a trip of eight-24 hours; with a delay of at least six hours in a trip of more than 24 hours long.

In case if delay increases in twice statutory minimums passenger has a right to have a compensation of 50% of the ticket price that is to be provide in cash by the demand of the client. If due to water transport delay a passenger is forced to spend night in a hotel he may have a compensation of accommodation price in the amount of not more than 80 euro per night, maximum three nights. New rules for protection of rights of water transport passengers exclude possibility of refusal in a trip for a passenger because of his or her invalidity. Moreover company representatives must provide this passenger category with necessary assistance when they arrive at port if the client informed the carrier of invalidity while booking the ticket and not less than in 48 hours before the trip.

 

July 14, 2010

St. Petersburg increases amount of foreign tourists due to short-term visa-free regime

On July 13 a record inflow of tourists on cruise vessels was fixed in St. Petersburg. In one day the city received five liners that had brought 10030 passengers. In whole during this navigation season port “Sea Facade” planes to serve 308 thousand passengers.

This record is a logic result of visa relaxation for tourists who enter Russia by water. In May 2009 amendments to the Order “On Procedure of entry to the RF and departure from the RF” were introduced, these amendments allow foreigners arriving into seven large ports of the country (St. Petersburg is among them) to stay in Russia for three days without visa. In less than in a year Minister of Transport noted that the amount of ferry transportations has doubled.

Governor of St Petersburg Valentina Matvienko has decided to spread this practice also to air-tourists. Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy of the RF discusses her suggestion on establishment of three-day visa-free regime for foreign tourists arriving at Pulkovo airport. In future this practice could be implemented at all airports of the country.

 

July 13, 2010

Passenger traffic at Sochi port has decreased in five times

In comparison with soviet times passenger traffic at Sochi port has decreased in five times. In 2009 it was 25 thousand people whereas in late 80-s 300 ships with 135 thousand passengers on board entered Sochi. This was reported by Director General of “Sochi sea trade port” Vladimir Derkunov. According to Vladimir Derkunov words this rate should be regained in nearest 5-10 years. However it requires significant investments into port infrastructure for it could be able to receive ships with length of more than 200 meters.

Potential of Black sea ports by present moment is estimated as 200 thousand cruise passengers in a year. In 2009-2012 there will be built in Europe 38 new liners, 18 of them are intended for Black and Mediterranean seas. At that in 2008-2009 European cruise branch provided 150 thousand jobs with annual average salary of 32 thousand euros. On Vladimir Derkunov opinion development of Russian ports at the Black sea are interrupted not only by underdeveloped infrastructure but also by lack of vessels oriented at Russian-tourists.

 

July 12, 2010

Ice-breaker “50 years of Victory” openes tourist season in Arctic

Atomic ice-breaker “50 years of Victory” being under the jurisdiction of “Atomflot” of state corporation “Rosatom” has gone to the first in this year cruise to the North Pole with 126 tourists on board who would be able to visit Frantz Josef Land and to enjoy the most picturesque places in Arctic. During the cruise tourists on board of atomic ship will listen to lectures on nature and history of Arctic, watch films.

First tourist cruises of atomic ships to the North Pole started in 1990, tourists were brought to the heart of Arctic by ice-breaker “Russia”. There are not more than five cruises in a season, usually it is two-three ones. Such cruise costs about 20 thousand dollars. This season there will be two more tourist cruises of atomic ship “50 years of Victory” to the North Pole.

 

July 7, 2010

Large tourist cluster will be created at Baikal

Government of Buryatia has made a decision on creation of five municipal tour areas with centers in Ulan-Ude and Severobaikalsk as well as Severobaikalsk, Zaigraevsk and Tunkinsk regions. Municipal recreation complexes form a united cluster within the frame of special tourism area “Baikal harbor”. Each area of the tourist cluster on Baikal shores will have its specialization. Ulan-Ude is going to become the main transport hub of “Baikal harbor”, Tukninsky region will proceed further development of popular mineral water resorts and alpinist centers at Eastern Sayans. Two more local tourism areas will appear at North of Baikal with foundation of eco-hotel with complex of medical and cosmetic procedures at resort area Khakusy, family hotel with aqua park at the coast of the Senogda bay, ethno-park and hotel complex at Tyiya river.

It is also planned to form tourist routs common with federal area “Baikal harbor” that will allow to wide significantly the range of tourism offers at Buryatia. Special tourism area “Baikal harbor” is being created at the eastern coast of Baikal in 150-180 km from Ulan-Ude. Besides resorts it will include mountain skiing and water tourism centers. Construction of first “Baikal harbor” infrastructure objects was started this year. According to the specialists' research Buryatia will be able to receive up to 2 million tourists annually.

 

July 6, 2010

New Novgorodian tourism object

At Veliky Novgorod new excursion rout for tourists – Ryurik Settlement will be opened. On this Friday, on 9 July 2010 the ship with first visitors departs to the place of first residence of Russian princes. At the territory of the monument a berth is erected that will receive motor ships leaving from Novgorod Kremlin, information boards are placed. The project is still pilot, the showplace is not included into standard excursion programs. Thereafter it doesn’t refer to infrastructure as it requires money and years. However in future Ryurik Settlement is planned to be the main Novgorod rout.

There will be two ways to get to this excursion: by water transport, on motorboat “Yalta” with a composite group sent by reserve museum or as an individual tourist from “Red House”, the way through Sholokhovo is also opened.

 

July 5, 2010

Two regattas meet at Solovki

Regatta “From Baltic to Caspian sea” devoted to vicennial anniversary of the EMERCOM of Russia has solemnly started in St. Petersburg. On July 20 it arrives at Solovki where it passes the baton to XXXVI Solovetski regatta.

Regatta “From Baltic to Caspian sea” runs through water ways of Russia’s North. Participants of the race on the four-deck ship followed by vessels of different classes are going to pass from Baltic sea to White sea: they will visit Republic of Karelia, Leningrad, Vologda and Archangelsk Regions. On July 9 at Solovetsky island will be held lifeguard competitions of North-Western regional center for yachting sport. And on July 10 XXXVI Solovetsky regatta, Cup of North-West among cruising yachts and Small Solovetslky regatta start.

 

July 2, 2010

Launch of cruise liner is rescheduled

Launch of cruise rout St. Petersburg — Helsinki — Stockholm — Tallinn — St. Petersburg is rescheduled for July 9 due to breakdown of weather conditions at the Bay of Biscay. By present time the earliest voyage is filled for about 90%. Let us remind that the line was planned to be launched on the 2-nd of July 2010.

Cruise liner is leaving passenger port “Sea Facade” in St. Petersburg every Friday and comes back to the port on Tuesday. Besides cruises the company plans to exit to Baltic neutral waters with entertainment programs.

 

July 1, 2010

Perm Region, Sverdlovsk and Tyumen regions have agreed on cooperation

Three regions will conclude an agreement on cooperation in sphere of incoming and domestic tourism development. By present day to be interregional could be considered “Great Tea Rout”, tourist rout “The trail of Ermak”, project under development “Big Siberian tract” and many others.

Cooperation between parties is aimed at strengthening and maintaining of united tourist area, development and promotion of tourism branch “Big Ural” and to wide extent — creation of new attractive and competitive tourist brands and maximum favorable conditions for tourism business development.

 

June 30, 2010

Authorities are intended to spend more than 10 billion rubles for Solovetsky Archipelago development

Government of the Archangelsk Region has forwarded to Administration of the President of the RF suggestions to be included into the project of target program for Solovetsky Archipelago development rated for five-six years. Estimated costs of the event realization — 10.1 billion rubles.

Recently there has been announced that 39 million rubles had been committed from the federal budget for restoration of monuments at Large Solovetsky island. One of the key problems that require immediate solution is creation of high-grade and stable transport infrastructure being able to provide access to the Archipelago. Also it is important to guarantee visits to cultural and religious values of the Solovetsky Archipelago for Russian citizens, to preserve openness of Solovki for the country and the world without breaking church customs and rules. In this connection it is suggested to find solution for access to the islands without forcing the Archipelago. To this extent there will be organized construction of tourism infrastructure at territory of the village Letnyaya Zototitsa at the coast of White sea.

 

June 29, 2010

Sakhalin puzzled with development of tourist routs

Representatives of Sakhalin Region are intended to create in 2011 a cruise rout like “Golden Ring” — Far East, Siberia and Transbaikalia. This issue was brought up at international conference “Trans-border project “Eastern Ring of Russia” held on June 23-26 in Yakutsk. Participants of the event made a decision on shared financing of development of the conception on the part of all regions concerned.

In rout development attention is paid both to preferences of tourists from different countries and their financial possibilities. Moreover all tourism programs will be in agreement of the island businessmen.

 

June 28, 2010

Peter and Paul fortress opens at night

New tour product — night walking excursion with theatricalization “Secrets of night fortress” — was opened in St. Petersburg. The program is created by “Center of water tourism” and Development fund of State museum of history of St. Petersburg “Peter and Paul Fortress” under support of Russian Union of tour industry. In one hour before the midnight journalists and representatives of St. Petersburg tour business set out on boat to informative trip along Neva river. After disembarkation at Komendantskaya quay near Nevsky gates guests were introduced with construction history and water traditions connected with Neva and Peter and Paul Fortress. The second act has a name “Witness”; it is interactive walking excursion along night fortress.

The largest impression on everyone was made by the third act “Splendid present” — overlook for city and Neva panorama with Troitsky and Palace bridges over it from one of the best observation points in the world — Nevsky curtain wall. Previously only famous people and first persons of the state had an access there. Interactive and theatrical elements make the excursion unique: participants are carried back to the past and get into the whirling of history, they become witnesses of famous events that took place at Peter and Paul Fortress at different times, meet characters of these events, listen to the stories from the first person.

 

June 25, 2010

Sea excursions are restarted at Novorossiysk

It is possible again to take sea trips along the Tsemes harbor. They have been restarted after 15-years break by Novorossiysk port. Boats “Gelendzhik” and “Yulia Izmailova” unberth hourly. In July the third boat will start operation — “Vladimir Shapurko”. It will not only carry tourists but also as it used to be before to carry passengers to dolphinarium at Utrish.

When holiday season ends boats are not supposed to stop operation in sea but they will have morning schedule and carry fishermen. Moreover on the eve of new holiday season Novorossiysk has opened regular sea passenger connection with Sochi. It is operated by high-speed hydrofoil vessel “Sea Flight”. The boat is sized for 120 passengers. The distance to Sochi the ship passes in three hours twenty minutes. Also “sea taxi” to Ukrainian Yalta has started operation from Novorossiysk.

 

June 24, 2010

Sevastopol could become a yacht capital of the Black sea

Expecting regatta “Russian sea body” and Sevastopol authorities have concluded pre-term agreement on cooperation in sphere of yacht sport and water tourism development according to which international yacht regattas will be annually held in Sevastopol. Moreover in the nearest time in Moscow at All-Russian Exhibition Centre VDNKh Russian museum of Sea Glory will be opened as well as projection of international yacht center will be started at Sevastopol. At that agreement places an emphasis on “the task to grant Sevastopol the status of yacht capital at the Black sea”.

In this connection starting from this year yacht school “Russian sea body” starts operating in Sevastopol where citizens of Sevastopol, naval mariners retired in reserve will be trained at preferential prices. Sevastopol has been chosen for yacht trainings as it has unique harbor — it is ice-free for 12 months in a year.

 

June 23, 2010

Amount of traveling Russians declined for quarter

“Komkon” company has provided results of tourism market investigation during the crisis period that had been carried out in the first quarter of 2010 in course of polling 8.5 thousand people in the age of 10 years and older.

According to “Komkon” data crisis reversed the trend of stable and rather intensive growth seen at tourism market of Russia till 2008. In 2009 amount of Russians’ trips declined for 24% in comparison with the previous year. Russians got less foreign trips: if the average number of voyages per year was 1.8 in 2007 then in 2009 this figure decreased to 1.5. Particularly decrease occurred due to decline of business trips — the tendency that was observed during several past years continued during the crisis: in 2009 share of foreign business trips was 7.1% against 9.4% in the previous year. In its turn share of holiday trips increased up to 93.7% against 85.6% in 2008.

Share of Russians traveling to Egypt in the first quarter of 2010 increased to 26% from 15% in the same period of the previous year, at that the number of compatriots who prefer Europe decreased from 48% to 39%.

Along with that, as poll results show, in the first quarter Russians have traveled less to China: share of people traveling to this country for rest decreased to 10% from 12% in the past year. Amount of the RF citizens traveling to Turkey also declined a little — from 17% in the first quarter of the past year to 16% in the first three months of the current year.

 

June 22, 2010

Moscow suggested to introduce million penalties for taxi drivers

Department of transport and Communication in May forwarded a letter to the Ministry of Transport in which appealed to incorporate the comments of the department in amendment of the federal law “On motor transport and motor transport activity and on amendments into certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation”, mentions RIA “NEWS”. Particularly department suggests to severe state regulation of passenger taxi including licensing of this activity with quota application, tells the letter.

According to current legislation entrepreneurial activity without a license implies imposition of penalty from two up to five thousand rubles for individuals and officials and from forty to fifty thousand rubles for legal bodies.

The letter also mentions that there should be enacted into law admission criteria for drivers to work in this sphere and for the carrier to work at the taxi market. “Among such requirements are: compliance of the car with ecology class not less than “Euro-3”, common color of all cars, left-hand drive, four doors, equipment to provide comfortable temperature conditions in the cabin”, — tells the message.

The letter also mentions that it is supposed to provide in the federal law implementation of register of regular carriage routs due to particularities of the RF subject Moscow city where there is no intermunicipal connection. According to the department opinion subjects of the FR considerably differ from each other by many features including economics, population density, traffic capacity.

“Taking into consideration this factor draft law should broad powers of the subjects of the Russian Federation in sphere of motor transport activity regulation”, — points out the letter.

Moreover, the document says, federal law establishes obligatory participation of carriers in self-regulation organizations that should include not less than five hundred participants. Also the letter mentions that the same requirement is supposed for railway and bus stations.

 

June 21, 2010

State Duma passed a bill that refers tourism to issues of joint competence of federal and local authorities

On June 2010 State Duma passed in the I reading a bill that provides tourism referral to issues of joint competence of federal and local authorities, informed at press service of the Commission of the Federal Council for youth affairs and tourism.

“Subjects of the Russian Federation still do not have powers for tourism development, and amendments to the bill will allow regions to have legal powers for tourism activity promotion and creation of favourable conditions for its development”, — underlined in press-service.

As an interlocutor of the agency informed, responsible committee of the State Duma for Federation affairs and regional policy received about 70 positive references from the subjects of the RF including republics of Altai, Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Tatarstan; Altai, Kamchatka, Krasnodar, Primorsk, Archangelsk territories; Archangelsk, Astrakhan, Kaliningrad, Moscow, Rostov, Sakhalin regions; Moscow, St. Petersburg and others.

“The bill was also supported by Ministry of Regional Development of the RF, Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Youth Affairs of the RF, Ministry of Justice of the RF, committee of the State Duma for economic policy and entrepreneurship, committee of the State Duma for Federation affairs and regional policy”. Moreover the draft federal law has been frequently discussed and has been supported by the committee for entrepreneurship in sphere of tourism, health-recreation and hotel activities of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and Russian Tour Industry Union.

Amendments to the draft law will be forwarded to the responsible committee of the State Duma within 30 days since the date of its adoption in the first reading — till 19-th of July 2010.

 

June 18, 2010

MFSP receives the first in the season tourist liner

On 18-th June “Murmansk Fishery Seaport” JSC (MFSP) receives at its moorages the first in the season tourist liner. Large oceanic liner “Ocean Princess” flying the flag of Bermuda Islands had entered Murmansk port last year but with the different name.

The length of the ship dos not allow it to moor at Murmansk harbor station that is why traditionally oceanic liners moor at Murmansk Fishery Seaport.

Length of the ship exceeds 167 meters, width 26 meters, draft 6 meters. There are on board more than 1000 people tourists and crew members. By prior arrangement with Agent Company “Respect service” we plan to receive 3 such liners in this season. — comments Assistant Director General at MFSP JSC Anton Artemiev. The ship comes to Murmansk from Norway and after a short stop it departures to Lofoten Islands.

 

June 17, 2010

“Admiralty shipyards” move to Kronshtadt

St. Petersburg international economic forum brings first benefits for the Northern capital. It is referred to the agreement between St. Petersburg, “Admiralty shipyards LTD” and “United Shipbuilding Corporation LTD”. Within the frame of the agreement “Shipyards” capacities will be transferred from center of St. Petersburg to Kronshtadt. In result of necessary operations the city will get 17 hectares of land in the center of the city (New-Admiralty island). These spaces could be used for construction of apartment buildings, commercial and social objects. “Admiralty shipyards” move is planned to be carried out phased within 6-8 years. According to the President of “United Shipbuilding Corporation LTD” Roman Trotsenko new project is going to be invested with about 20 billions rubles and it will be the largest shipbuilding enterprise in European part of the country.

“Admiralty shipyards” will get all money city collects from sale of the land at New-Admiralty island, moreover the move will allow to build ships in larger amount and faster. Roman Trotsenko also mentioned that new large-scale project is being worked out, according to this project Kronshtadt is going to be transformed into center of tourism, yachting, exhibition activities with constructions conserved since Peter the Great times.

 

June 16, 2010

XIII International youth yachting regatta

On 17-th of June 2010 in Moscow on base of FSE “CSC Navy” at Tikhaya bay of Khimki water storage the XII International youth yachting regatta will be started. This is the most wide-scale regatta in the capital and the second largest in the Russian Federation – simultaneously about 200 yachts are going to be on water, the larger amount could be only at championship of Russia.

Participants — children, boys and girls at age of 7-21 years from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Tolyatti, Azov, Sochi, Temryuk, Anapa and many other cities of Russia as well as from Byelorussia, Ukraine and other countries of CIS — will compete in five classes: “Optimist” (the most popular class — about 100 yachts-participants), “Cadet”, “Zoom-8”, “Ray-Radial” and “Laser-Radial” (this is an Olympic class).

Guests of the XIII International youth yachting regatta will be famous sportsmen, multiple Champions of World and Europe, winners of Olympic games: Georgy Shaiduko, Oleg Khopersky, Igor Scalin, Viktor Potapov, Yury Lobanov and others.

On base of FSE “CSC Navy” International youth yachting regatta has been holding since 1997. The ones who won 10-12 years ago at first competitions nowadays perform for the Russia Team in yachting sport and represent our country at international competitions. Among them leader of the Russia Team in yachting sport, holder of the sixth place at Olympic games 2008, champion of Europe Ekaterina Skudina (two weeks ago she won in Austria a European Championship in match-race), members of the team — Maksim and Mikhail Sheremetievs, Alisa Kirilyuk and others.

 

June 15, 2010

Motor ship “Gospodin Veliky Novgorod” has taken first cruise

On 12-th June solemn greeting ceremony was held for passengers of first cruise of motor ship “Gospodin Veliky Novgorod” that had been taken within the frame of project on river cruise development at Novgorod Region.

Charitable cruise for orphaned children, pupils from orphanages and boarding schools of St. Petersburg was arranged by one of the leading traveling companies. Greeting arrived passengers, crew, all participants of the ceremony governor of Novgorod Region Sergey Mitin underlined that it was only the beginning of the navigation so long-awaited in the region.

In 2010 several such cruises are planned. And in 2011 the program will be developed. Cruises will be taken on board of the same comfortable three-deck ship carrying capacity of 78 people.

 

June 11, 2010

Sailing-tourist regatta starts in the Republic of Tatarstan

On 11-th of June in Tatarstan starts the 10-th Volga-Kama sailing-tourist regatta.

For the first time regatta includes not only races but also a trip to historical places where stops and visit to places of interest are supposed.

According to words of the Head of the Department of state regulation and arrangement of tourism activity of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan Mikhail Germogentov yachtsmen will visit Bulgars, Sviyazhsk, the territory of “Kamskiye Polyany” park, Chistopol, Elaburg, Naberezhnye Chelny.

“We suppose to show to the participants yacht tourism opportunities of the region, — said M. Germogentov. — Also regatta is attached to the “Kamskiye Polyany” project where we plan to erect a yacht stop that could facilitate more dynamic development of yacht tourism. We plan to attract attention of investors”.

As a rule regional regattas have 30-50 yachts-participants, whereas Volga-Kama one has more than one hundred participants. Yachts from Saratov, Perm, Ulyanovsk and other Ural towns will arrive at Tatarstan, as well as yachts from Yekaterinburg, Ufa and Moscow.

This year regatta will be held under support of the first president of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev being an initiator of the Bulgar and Sviyazhsk rebirth project.

 

June 10, 2010

“Green Stop” for cruise liners was opened in Karelia

New green stop at Pellotsaari island at Ladoga lake – the third in Karelia, is able to receive all types of cruise vessels that travel along Ladoga and Onega lakes. It provides opportunities for tourists to have an active rest at the sand beach and to go fishing.

On June 3 the island was visited by 230 passengers of four-deck ship “Valerian Kuibyshev” cruised from St. Petersburg to Valaam. Tourists had an opportunity to have a walk along the ecological path equipped with information boards, to go boating on motor and power-sail ships along Ladoga skerries.

Pellotsaari is one of the islands at Ladoga skerries, rocky archipelago in Northern part of the Ladoga lake. Once the island was owned by Finland, nowadays it is uninhabited. There have remained at the island foundations of Finnish and Russian houses built until the middle of the last century, Finnish farm yard, household outbuildings, Finnish defensive constructions of the Mannergeim line 1941-1944, quartz quarries.

 

June 09, 2010

Navigation companies reconstruct port in Sochi

Russian authorities and Sochi administration evaluate offers from large foreign navigation companies concerning organization of cruise lines from the sea port in the centre of the city. This was told by Minister of Transport of the RF Igor Levitin. He clarified that it refers to transfer of the port part into the long-term concession, and that there are Greek companies among applicants.

After contracts for cruise routs are signed sea port investors will start its reconstruction due to requirements of the concession holders. Within the frame of agreement it is planned to operate cruise vessels with tonnage of more than 2000 people.

 

June 09, 2010

Conference “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA. Sea tourism” has united more than 10 countries-participants

General Council of Turkey confirmed participation in the conference “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA. Sea tourism” of Mehmet Cinar, Consul General of Turkey in St. Petersburg. Mr. Cinar is going to make a report on perspectives of tourism development at the Black sea region.

Issues on sea tourism development will be covered in the report of Ukraine representative, Deputy Head of trade-economic mission of Ukraine Stanislava Malakhovskaya.

The event is also supported by General Council of the Azerbaijani Republic. Consul General of the Azerbaijani Republic Gudsi Dursun Osmanov is going to visit personally the conference.

Latvian Republic will be represented at the conference by Consul General of the Latvian Republic Ivetta Sers and Vice-Consul of the Latvian Republic in St. Petersburg Inga Sturite.

Taking into consideration urgency of the tourism branch issues in relations between Russia and Denmark, Council General of Kingdom of Denmark in St. Petersburg delegated to the event senior Adviser on trade-economic relations Marina Piotrovskaya.

Council General of Italy in St. Petersburg Faiti Salvadori also officially supported the conference, he underlined that tourism is one of the most important directions in trade-economic relations between Russia and Italy, the second European trade partner of Russia.

Estonia traditionally takes an active part in conferences of the “UNITED RUSSIA” Party Project “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA. Sea Tourism” and this time is going to be represented by commercial attache of the Council General of Estonia Toomas Kastik.

Besides official representatives companies from Norway, Lithuania, Denmark and Ukraine showed an active interest in the event and booked their attendance.

 

June 08, 2010

Sea Facade achieved a record in amount of tourists received

Sea passenger port “Sea Facade” in St. Petersburg achieved a record in amount of tourists arrived in one day. As was reported at press service of administration company “Sea Facade” on 3d of June 9461 people arrived at the city by water ways through this port. There were five cruise liners at the port simultaneously: «Princess Daphne», «Athena», «Celebrity Constellation», «Eurodam» и «Costa Magica». By present day passenger port is being under construction, by its termination “Sea Facade” will be able to receive up to 7 cruise liners and ferries simultaneously. In future passenger terminals are planned to receive up to 12 thousand tourists each day.

 

June 07, 2010

Bulgaria announced of visa relaxation for Russians

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria revealed measures taken to relax visa regime and to improve consular service for citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Moldavia. Particularly the message tells that visas for group-tourists from Russia will be issued within 10 calendar day since documents receipt at consular service or visa center; up to the present day these terms were from 10 to 30 days.

Since 1-st of July till 15-th of September 2010 via “E-Visa” system, that is Internet-page of MFA of Bulgaria, consular service is going to receive from certified tour operators up to 500 applications daily.

Bulgarians are also ready to release multi visa with a period of validity up to 1 year that will be issued in case of a foreign citizen during the recent year got at least one visa, used it in a legal way, met reliability requirements and proved a need in frequent or regular trips.

 

June 04, 2010

Representative offices of ROSTOURISM could be opened at Turkey, Egypt and Israel

Representative offices of Russian Federal Tourism Agency could be opened at countries of the maximum demand among Russian tourists. “We treat a question that may be we should open representative offices of ROSTOURISM at such routs”, - declared Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy Vitaly Mutko after session of the Government of the RF on June 3. According to his words in case of emergency on the territory of foreign country involving Russian tourists “everything lies on Council”. In this connection he added that “we consider 4-5 countries where we could open representative offices”. “First of all they are Turkey, Egypt, Israel – countries with the highest tourist traffic”, - informed the Minister.

 

June 03, 2010

“Sails of White Nights” start at St. Petersburg

Regatta “Sails of White Nights” started in St. Petersburg; it will last till 14-th of June. Location – water area of the Neva river near the Peter-and-Paul fortress.

Since 2009 International sailing regatta “Sails of White Nights. Congress Palace Cup” has been having the highest first grade (level) simultaneously being a qualification stage of the World Cup in match race. Title partner of the regatta is FUE “State complex “Congress Palace” that in the end of regatta will present a prize to its winner. Last year for the first time in history the prize went to the foreign racer – French yachtsmen Damien Iehl.

From 1-st till 5-th of July races are held in yacht port “Hercules”. From 6-th till 13-th of June races will take place near Peter-and-Paul fortress.

 

June 02, 2010 

National park “Curonian Spit” opens tourist season

On June 4, 2010 national park “Curonian Spit” at Kaliningrad Region invites to the opening of the tourist season-2010. As a novelty of the season will appear water tourist rout “Long water”.

“National park visitor is able to get acquainted with Curonian Spit during sightseeing bus excursion or – more detailed – at any of seven walking routs, - tells A.E. Koroleva, Deputy Director on ecological education and tourism. – New tourist rout “Long water” will not duplicate any of traditional routs but will provide an opportunity to observe Curonian Spit “sidewise”, chase wonderful landscape change, admire the might of big white dunes, get acquainted with local traditions close-knit with Couronian lagoon. New tourist rout is a successful result of cooperation between state environmental enterprise and business, a good example for imitation”.

In the early XIX century traveling from Koenigsberg to Memel (Klaipeda) or Tilsit (Sovetsk) by waterways was more comfortable and familiar for travelers than overland journey. This waterway formed by Pregolya and Deima rivers, Couronian lagoon and Neman river was called at those times “Long water”.

New tourist rout of the national park appears as a part of voyage from Koenigsberg to Memel and has the same name.

“Long water” rout starts at Zelenogradsk, runs along Curonian Spit shore almost up to the Morskoye village. There will be seven stops within the rout; during this stops participants will have excursions on Couronian lagoon history.

 

June 01, 2010

Sea port Primorsk and Passenger port St. Petersburg enrolled into the Register of Seaports of the Russian Federation

According to the Order of Federal Marine and River Transport Agency of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation of March 12, 2010 № АД-35-р and № АД-36-р data on sea ports Primorsk and Passenger port St. Petersburg was enrolled into the Register of Seaports of the Russian Federation and they were assigned with registration numbers Б-5 and Б-2 respectively. This was told in the message of St. Petersburg branch of FSUE “Rosmorport”.

It is a reminder that data on sea ports is enrolled into the Register according to item 5.4.5 of the Regulation on Federal Marine and River Transport Agency approved by the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 23, 2004 №371 and Rules for Register of Seaports of the Russian Federation approved by the order of the Ministry of Transport of Russia of April 1, 2009 № 51.

Sea port Primorsk is the largest port in oil and oil products export at the North-Western region of Russia. Port cargo turnover in 2009 gained 79 million 157.2 tons of oil and diesel oil. Turn around of shipping gained 1869 items (935 entrances and 934 exits).

Construction of the sea passenger port “Sea facade” in St. Petersburg was started in 2006 and is carried out in three stages. Within the frame of the first stage there were put into operation two landings, cruise terminal building with relevant coastal erections, and in September 2008 the first vessel entered the port.

Nowadays the third stage of the construction is being carried out, it is planned to be terminated in 2010. Port is able to get cruise and ferry vessels 311 m in length and with water draft up to 11 m. Length of new approach channels is 10 km, depth of approach channels and aquatorium according to the project is 11 m. General landings quantity – 7, moorage wall length – 2108 m.

 

June 01, 2010

Chairman of the State Duma Boris Gryzlov gave comments to development objectives of the Northern Sea Rout and Belkomur project

On 27-th of May 2010 Chairman of the State Duma Boris Gryzlov within the frame of working visit to the Archangelsk Region got acquainted with operation of Archangelsk sea port and gave comments to development objectives of the Northern Sea Rout:

“Northern Sea Rout historically started from Archangelsk. But by present day, as I think, role of its development is underestimated in our country. Today a lot of things are to be done to regain traffic volume we had in Soviet times. This objective is very important for us because of reinforcement of Russia presence in Arctic, shelf development, reclaiming new northern territories.

Russia absolutely clear defined its strategic interests in Arctic. And Archangelsk is the right place to start reclaiming. According to decision of the Security Council along the Northern Sea Rout should be created 10 fixed-site stations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. It worth mentioning that Northern Sea Rout shortens approximately in two times freight traffic distance between Europe and Asia. It is a very perspective direction.

As a very important direction appears construction of domestic manufacture icebreakers. Current icebreaker fleet will be used maximum for five-seven years and then its renewal will be required. Manufacturing procedure for vessels operated at Northern Sea Rout is being adopted at St. Petersburg.

Moreover as an important infrastructure project in the region appears construction of Belcomur railroad branch: White sea – Komi – Ural. Development of such essential transport corridors should be oriented not only at current demands but also at strategic long-term ones. Belcomur construction is a part of a common project of infrastructure development in Russia. Definitely it is to be realized within the frame of Strategy-2020. But certainly it is better to advance the terms. To realize the project both investment fund resources and private funds could be involved. We are going to promote this theme by consolidated efforts. I am sure that due to realization of these projects Russia will be able to provide a large amount of carriages from Europe and Asian region. I believe that development of the Northern Sea Rout should to be discussed at APEC summit at Vladivostok in 2012”.

Administration on public and media relations of Central Office of
the State Duma of the Russian Federation

 

May 30, 2010

Sailing regatta “Vendee – St. Petersburg” arrived at Northern capital

French trimarans cut through Neva for the first time. Sailing regatta “Vendee – St. Petersburg” arrived at Northern capital. Regatta started on May 16 at Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (Vendee, France) within the frame of Russia-France year.

People of the Northern capital could watch on May 29, the Day of the City, a sailing show at the Neva river near the Peter-and-Paul fortress. Within an hour trimaran captains demonstrated their skills in maneuvering. Even heavy rain stopped for this time and audience could enjoy the sailing parade.

The second stage of the regatta restarts after a short break. On May 31 crews start on the way back and are going to arrive at Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie approximately on June 6, 2010.

Rout from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to St. Petersburg is 3790 nautical miles or 6619 km. Regatta is promised to be repeated in 4 years.

 

May 28, 2010

St. Petersburg receives “Presidential regatta”

“Presidential regatta” – Cup of the President of the Russian Federation in rowsports starts in St. Petersburg on 28-th of May 2010.

The first day of the competition starts on Grebnoy Channel at Krestovsky island where elimination races in boat racing for one km distance will take place.

Regatta opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 29. Competitions will be held in Fontanka river water area between Lomonosovsky and Semenovsky bridges.

Audience will be able to watch rowing and canoeing races, boat racing, exhibition performance in whitewater on “Dragon” and “Vikings” boats. The strongest boaters of our country will compete with famous Cambridge University crew, American Yale University team, teams from Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Byelorussia and other countries. Several Olympic champions are going to take part in regatta.

On Saturday, May 30, finals and distribution of the Cup of the President will be held at the Rowing base.

 

May 27, 2010

Unveiling ceremony of Artur Nikolaevich Chilingarov bust

On May 27 in St. Petersburg on Day of the City took place bust unveiling ceremony of the hero of the USSR and Russia, outstanding explorer of Arctic and Antarctic Artur Nikolaevich Chilingarov.

The bust is placed at the Hero Alley at the Victory Park where immortalized heroes of the USSR – natives of St. Petersburg. The event is significant for the city as such monument is erected at the Alley for the first time in past 26 years.

Heads of the State Duma of the RF, representatives of federal ministries, city administration, representatives of large companies of St. Petersburg took part in the event.

Let us point out that in our country only four people favored with both Hero of the USSR and Hero of Russia titles.

 

May 25, 2010

General Consulate of Turkey takes part in the II International conference “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA. Sea Tourism”

General Consulate of Turkey in St. Petersburg confirmed participation in the event of Mehmet Cinar, Council General of Turkey in St. Petersburg. Mr. Cinar is going to make a report at the conference on perspectives of tourism development at Black sea region.

Also participation in the conference was confirmed by Council of Latvian Republic Ivetta Sers, Senior Adviser on economic-trade relations of Consulate General of Denmark Piotrovskaya Marina Lvovna, Deputy Head of trade-economic mission of Ukraine Stanislava Malakhovskaya, General Council of Italy Faiti Salvadori and Council General of the Azerbaijani Republic Gudsi Dursun Osmanov.

 

May 24, 2010

Yacht “Peter I” is going to the world cruise

Crew of the Russian yacht “Peter I” is planning to set a new world record by world arctic expedition in one summer and at the same time to overrun Norwegian yachtsmen who made themselves the same point.

25-years old yacht captain Daniil Gavrilov expects to lead Russia towards one of the last unsettled arctic records: to pass on cruiser yacht 12.5 thousand miles along Northern Sea Rout. Quarter of the rout lays in difficult ice conditions. According to plans a crew of 8 people leads the vessel into the sea on July 1. By present time all the documents for passing boundary waters between Russia, USA and Canada have been picked up.

Norwegian rivals of the “Peter I” are planning to depart from Oslo on June 25 on a light yacht not meant for ice navigation.

“Our expeditions could not be compared – Norwegians ride only in ice-free water and it requires another tactics, - comments captain Gavrilov. – However we are the sportsmen and competition spirit is very strong. We hope to overrun our rivals. Expedition will help to strengthen Russia's stature as sailing state”.

As captain says expedition is also aimed at scientific purpose. The voyage can help to collect hydrometeorological data on Arctic and all the information would be laid out to the Internet.

 

May 21, 2010

“Academic Fedorov” comes back to St. Petersburg from Antarctic

On May 21 scientific-research vessel “Academic Fedorov” of Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of Federal Service of Russia on Hydrometeorology and Monitoring of the Environment is comming back to Sea trade port St. Petersburg from 55-th Russian Antarctic expedition.

According to press service of the Research Institute vessel has spent 201 days at sea. 70 crew members and 93 expeditionists will arrive at St. Petersburg on its board: 30 people from 55-th seasonal expedition and 63 people from 54-th wintering one.

During previous summer Antarctic season “Academic Fedorov” provided maintenance supply to Russian Antarctic stations, changed their personnel, and carried out a range of researches. Particularly radar measurements of ice sheet width and geodetic measurements of its height in Central Antarctic have been taken, oceanographic research at poorly explored areas of Bellingshausen Sea and geological exploration at Westfal oasis have been carried out.

Moreover at Bellingshausen station have been fit up new digital equipment for reception of earth surface pictures from Artificial Earth Satellites and station of differential satellite orbit correction for domestic navigation system GLONASS.

 

May 20, 2010 

ASC is going to gain 70% capacity utilization within the development strategy frame

Associate shipbuilding corporation (ASC) is going to gain 70% capacity utilization. This was reported by Director of ASC Dmitry Mironenkov who presented corporation development strategy within the framework of the forum “Sea industry of Russia” in Moscow. As Dmitry Mironenkov says in 2009 ASC gained “certain progress” in capacity utilization – 52% whereas in two previous years shipyards of the corporation were operated not more than for 30%. In perspective ASC plans to improve these figures up to 70%.

 

May 19, 2010

Stage of water “Formula One” will be held at Neva river in St.Petersburg

In St. Petersburg in Neva river water area on July 10-11 will be held the second stage of world championship on motor-boating in “Formula One” class on water.

As reported on May 19 President of Federation of motor-boating and yacht tourism of St. Petersburg Unis Lukmanov 12 teams, 24 pilots from more than 15 countries and probably one Russian sportsman are going to take part in competitions.

“One Russian racer warms up but we are absolutely not sure he will take part in competitions. We will not finance creation of Russian team until all issues on children are solved (one of the rigorous criterion of the Olympic Charter being the basis for sport federations to be approved by IOC is development of juvenile sport – Interfax comments). Thanks God last year our children had been winning”, - mentioned U. Lukmanov.

The first stage of the world championship on motor-boating in this year was held in early May in Portugal. After St. Petersburg stages will be held in China, Qatar, United Arab Emirates.

“Formula One” on water is the most prestigious modern races in motor-boating. Competitions are held in extreme conditions, at speed of up to 240 km/h. Only high class pilots with super license of international motor-boating union are admitted to participation in these races.

 

May 18, 2010

Russia has a large field of operation for tourism development

Russian tourism industry successfully passed through the crisis and now has all conditions for further development, reported Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy of the RF Vitaly Mutko at the meeting in Moscow.

As he says, statistics for 2009 show that Russian tourism on one hand is being developed within global tends, on the other – it turned out to be resistant to economic crisis influence. “One of the main achievements of this period could be considered that along with total decrease in traveling abroad we managed to obtain a little increase in domestic travel”, - said V. Mutko.

As he says more than 32 million tourists traveled within the country last year, that is 1.6% more than in 2008. Along with it 36 million Russian tourists traveled abroad. Decrease in traffic is about 15%.

As V. Mutko says more than 1 million people are involved in tourism sphere, and tourism share at GDP of the country is about 2.5% and with multiplier effect – 6.3%.

As Minister mentioned, Russia has a large field of operation for tourism development because natural and cultural-historical potential of the country is used incompletely.

Moreover on V. Mutko opinion there is a need in active legislation work that will provide dynamic development of the tourism and creation of full leisure infrastructure in the country.

 

May 17, 2010 

“Sea Facade” is totally loaded for 2010

All cruise vessels of St. Petersburg in 2010 will enter “Sea Facade”. As informed captain of sea port St. Petersburg Petr Parinov on May 17 at Session of the Government of St. Petersburg “Sea Facade” will not able to accept only 4 vessels.

In this way as Parinov says this year passenger port got the maximum load.

At that mentioned the port captain Northern Capital will accept 5-7% more cruise passengers. There will be fewer vessels than in the past year but their load is a lot more.

 

May 14, 2010

Russia and Brazil set visa-free traveling starting from June 7

Visa-free regime between Russia and Brazil starts operating on June 7. “On June 7 we start visa-free traveling”, - announced President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev on Friday May 14 at the press conference at Kremlin after negotiations with Brazil colleague Luiz Inacio da Silva. Agreement on visa waiver was signed between Russia and Brazil in 2008.

“Now this agreement will be put into operation”, - underlined the President of the RF.

 

May 13, 2010

Russia and Turkey announced visa waiver

Following the results of the meeting between President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan several intergovernmental agreements were signed on May 12 including the one on establishment of visa-free regime between two states.

Moreover, Medvedev and Erdogan agreed on arrangement of international railway-ferry connection through Caucasus and Samsun ports. Also there was signed an agreement on Atomic Power Station construction in Turkey by Russian atomists.

According to the agreement Russians will be able to enter Turkey visa-free for the period of 30 days. Visa waiver provides Turkey advantages over other countries. As long as there is no agreement on visa-free entry between EU and Russia Turkey will still be a leader in amount of Russian tourists being of 2.5 million people last year.

 

 

May 12, 2010

First on-water hotel appears in St. Petersburg

Tree-star hotel for 52 rooms is planned to be built up at floating landing stage erected in soviet times. By present time the boat is occupied by offices, warehouse and repair barge. Object dimensions are significant: 68 m lengthwise and 15 broadwise, totally 3 thousand sq.m. As Mikhail Kurshin Director general of the company-owner of the floating landing stage told nowadays there is just one operating vessel of such size in Russia. The stage has the highest ice class, and this means that the hotel will be operable for the whole year round: it’s not afraid of ice.

An idea of the hotel appearance could be got by the example of “Flying Dutchman” at Mytninskaya embankment or restaurant-sailingship “Kronverk” (Admiralteyskaya emb.). – Moscow has 18 such projects, - says Mikhail Kurshin. – For a long time we have been having talks that we need such ideas. Particularly active this topic was discussed before St. Petersburg 300-anniversary. City still lacks hotels.

Situation of the hotel is not decided yet. – I like an idea of building up the hotel in the region of New Ladoga, Shlisselburg, Novgorod, Volhov, - says Mikhail Kurshin.

 

May 11, 2010 

May Holidays revived tourism business

Tour sales on May holidays refreshed tourism market: tours were sold before the weekend. Demand for season traveling increased for 15% against past year.

Market participants note that this year demand for expensive hotels and river cruises is back. According to data of Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) this segment is almost at pre-crisis level. “This season more than 100 thousand people are going to set out for river cruise”, - say at ATOR. Cruise-oriented companies note sales increase of 30%.

By first long weekend in May tour operators have sold the largest part of holiday tours. Prices have increased for 10%.

 

May 7, 2010

Nizhny Novgorod administration arranges first Russian-French business cruise along Volga

Mayor of Nizhny Novgorod will meet Director of Business Bridge France Philip Verber. Within the framework of the meeting will be discussed issues on arrangement of first Russian-French business cruise along Volga.

It is planned that in September 2010 within the frame of business cruise heads of Russian and French companies will visit Nizhny Novgorod, Cheboksary, Kazan, Ulyanovsk, Tolyatti and Samara. During visits to Volga region cities it is planned to conduct business negotiations with local manufactures.

Exclusive cruise will start at Nizhny Novgorod. French participants – entrepreneurs involved in transport, metallurgy and building will meet representatives of economic authorities of Nizhny Novgorod.

The event will be held within the framework of Year of France in Russia and Year of Russia in France.

 

May 6, 2010

We are supported from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad

Participation in the II International conference “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of Russia. Sea tourism” was confirmed simultaneously by two regions – Kamchatka and Kaliningrad. There will come to the event Chairman of the standing committee of Legislative Assembly of the Kamchatka area on economics, property, budget and tax policy D.M. Povzner, Chairman of Kaliningrad Region Duma S.V. Bulychev, Chairman of the committee on development of infrastructure, industry, building, tourism, small and medium size business of the Kaliningrad Region Duma A.V. Zinoviev.

 

May 5, 2010

Modest Russians again spend money on traveling

Russians are again fancy to traveling: tours for the period of may holidays are sold in pre-crisis amount. However money for traveling are spent economically, people prefer inexpensive resorts.

In 2009 international tourism for the first time in 7 years declined at once for 15.5% up to 9.5 million people. First months of the current year showed that it is not a long-term tends and travel companies have their optimism again.

The largest Russian tour operator GC “Intourist” in first quarter of 2010 shipped abroad three times more clients than within the same period of the past year, said at the company to “Vedomosti”. Since the beginning of the year tourist traffic has increased from 5% to 15% depending on direction, add in “VIP service/Inna tour”.

May holidays’ period is traditionally a peak season – this year is not an exception. “Vedomosti” questioned travel companies in Rostov, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod and St. Petersburg and found out that tour for May holidays’ period are sold entirely, there are just several seats for some flights. The increase in sales against past year reaches 50% in some companies, others have doubled tourists traffic to Abkhazia and Crimea.

Even now the amount of tourists is almost at pre-crisis level, but income of travel companies is about 25-30% lower than in 2008, say at “VIP service/Inna tour” with a note that clients want something less pricy. The most popular tours cost 22000-32000 per person, inform at Novosibirsk “Polar Star”.

This is the reason for Russians to buy tours to traditionally popular Turkey and Egypt, note participants of travel market. As Association of Russian Tour operators informs tourist traffic to Egypt at first quarter of 2010 increased for record 93.5% against the same period in 2009 up to 740175 people. The number of travelers to Turkey increased for 11.2% up to 3178 people.

The main tendency on travel market is considered to be a return of clients with modest income. Tour operators try to make money out of them. In March “Natali tours” bought 25% of shares at online booking portal Tourix Holidays. Russians do not want to overpay for traveling and book tickets and hotels by themselves, even difference in 10$ may change clients choice, said Vladimir Vorobiev, President of “Natali tours”.

This tendency is obvious not only in Moscow but in regions as well. Clients more often ask for separate services – only air tickets, only hotel or only car rent, other things they try to book by themselves in order to save money, say at Nizhny Novgorod travel agency “Wind Rose – NN”.

Russian hotels and recreation centers also try to attract housewifely clients. Krasnaya Polyana hotels are ready to decrease cost of rooms for 40% on purchase of a tour for more than three nights, told “Vedomosti” Sergey Romashkin, Director General of travel company “Dolphin”. Special offers have also big market players. For example on purchase of a tour for a period from 30 April to 3 May rooms at “Novy Bereg” hotel at Pirogovskoye water storage cost for 15-20% less than usually, there is an offer for late departure and entertainment program, informed at Azimut Hotels Company.

 

May 4, 2010 

ASC plans to increase load for civil shipbuilding

Associate shipbuilding company (ASC) plans to increase load at affiliates according to orders on building of civil vessels. As informs Press Service of the Government of the Russian Federation, this was reported by President of ASC Roman Trotsenko at the meeting with Head of the government Vladimir Putin.

“We plan in the nearest future to carry out three blocks of events. The first block – to increase load at civil branches. We are already beginning to see clients coming back to civil shipbuilding. In majority it is river-sea fleet, small vessels, 6-7 thousand tons. These are private companies interested in fleet building, this is the right tonnage Russian shipyards are able to construct”, - said Roman Trotsenko.

“Associate shipbuilding company” was founded in 2007. The company consists of three regional shipbuilding centers: “Western shipbuilding center, LTD” (St. Petersburg), “Nortern shipbuilding and repairing center, LTD” (Severodvinsk), “Far eastern shipbuilding and repairing center, LTD” (Vladivostok), as well as leading design-construction design offices.

 

April 29, 2010

Tourism potential is incompletely used at Khabarovsk region

It has been discussing for a long time that a lot of tourists, especially foreign ones, would like to visit lower Amur. However such cruise is to be civilized. First of all this means a modern cruise liner for tourists. Still Khabarovsk region operates only a motor-vessel “Vasily Poyarkov” being rather obsolete. Unfortunately by present time such kind of a liner can be built only abroad. Common project with the Chinese on cruise organization could be the way to solve this problem.

Moreover there was mentioned imperfection of current legislation. For example foreigners want to visit remote areas for fishing. But sport and amateur fishing at some rivers is limited. Also safety level for tourists is not sufficient, so called event tourism is not developed enough and Khabarovsk region as a brand is not promoted. In a result in terms of all corrections and proposals tourism development conception was accepted.

 

April 28, 2010

New cruise route from St. Petersburg will be opened in July

In July 2010 at Northern capital regular cruise traffic on the route St. Petersburg – Helsinki – Stockholm – Tallinn – St. Petersburg will be opened. Tourists will travel through Baltic countries on board of ship “Rus” modernized over Italian designers’ project and renamed to “SC Atlantic”.

Cruises will be operated all the year round thanks to enhanced ice class of the ship. “SC Atlantic” will leave St. Petersburg every Friday and return to port on Tuesday. The cost of the tour will be at 12-30 thousand rubles. It is planned to carry monthly up to 800 tourists.

 

April 27, 2010

Russia and Norway signed an agreement on border areas

Package of documents is signed following the results of Russian-Norway negotiations at Oslo, among them – joint declaration on issues concerning separation of maritime space and cooperation at Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean and joint declaration of the President of the Russian Federation and Prime-minister of Norway.

Disputed area of 175 sq. km is shared equally between Russia and Norway. In this way negotiations on border issues are wrapped up, and agreement will be signed in the nearest future. Norwegian prime-minister also reported that very soon Moscow and Oslo could sign an agreement on a waiver at border areas of two countries.

 

April 26, 2010 

Cruise ship plies again between Yalta and Novorossiysk

This summer Russian navigational company “Southern Transport lines” will restart regular maritime traffic between Novorossiysk and Yalta.

Last year ships owned by this sea passenger line were to carry at once just 15-30 passengers because of bad fill rate, reminds Crimea information agency. The similar situation was at sea lines on Sochi and Odessa direction that had become in favor only on expiry of several years.

Last summer maritime traffic between Yalta and Novorossiysk was established, and for this purpose there was used a hydrofoil ship “Comet” of a “Katran” type. In the meantime the demand for service of 124-seater ship operated by new sea line was insignificant.

 

April 23, 2010

This summer the number of cruises to Kizhy will increase

In the coming navigation season passenger travel over Onega lake (called Onego in Karelia) will be carried by three companies, among them two new ones. Totally this season 5 high speed ships including “Comet” (social voyage) will cruise on the lake.

Social voyages will be carried out under support of Pudozhsk region administration and government of the republic. Representatives of the company believe that allocating investment support will help to put prices favorable for passengers.

As for the cost of Kizhy voyage it will rise again. “Kizhy circlet” and “KareliaFlot” put similar price: round-trip ticket from the capital of Karelia to the island will cost 1990 rubles. The fare from Belomorsk to Solovki will remain at last year’s level – 1500 rubles.

 

April 22, 2010

Sochi port takes up Dutch cruise liner

Cruise liner “Westerdam” carrying two thousand passengers on board will harbour at Sochi port anchorage for the first time in October 2010. The ship has Olympic history – she was rented by Russian Olympic Committee for the period of Athens Olympiad.

This year both Russian and foreign tourists desire Sochi as the capital of future Olympiad to be included into international cruise program over the Black sea.

“Westerdam” passengers will stay at Sochi for one day and will take in Olympic objects at Krasnaya Polyana and other city curiosities. It is the first time such a big ship enters resort city port.

During this cruise season more than 20 liners are going to visit Sochi.

 

April 21, 2010

Navigation in St. Petersburg starts on April 30

At Sea Passenger port St. Peterburg “Sea Facade” navigation season will be opened on April 30. About 1.5 thousand passengers of ferry boat “Silja Festival” will set out for a cruise over Baltic sea, reports official press service.

Four days cruise from St. Petersburg over Baltic sea passengers will sail at six hundreds cabins. Within cruise season the ship will touch at the city for tow times.

“Silja Festival” will moor at the Sea passenger port “Sea Facade” at 14:00 on April 30 and will unmoor at 22:00 of the same day.

 

April 20, 2010 

Specific economic area on the island Russkij

Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed a decree on establishment on island Russky at Primorsk territory of a special economic area. It is planned to hold APEC summit at the island in 2012. It is supposed to make privileged regime for investors into SEA – 20 years the main economic conditions will stay constant.

Nowadays in Russia 7 special economic areas of tourism-recreation type are under creation – in Krasnodar region, Stavropol region, Kaliningrad region, Republic of Altai, Altai region, Republic of Buryatia and Irkutsk region. Special economic areas are planned to be created also at single-industry towns. At the end of 2009 there had been made amendments to Russian legislation according to which government can establish SEA without a contest.

 

April 19, 2010

Russian sailboat “Krusenstern” called at a port of Cuban capital Havana

Call of training sailing ship is timed to coincide forthcoming celebration of 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations renewal between two countries and Great Victory holiday. Legendary bark was met by guard of honour of the Ministry of revolutionary armed services of Cuba.

Built in 1926 “Krusenstern” is justly considered to be a trademark of Russian training sailing fleet. Being out of watch sailors and cadets came down off the ship to go sightseeing: the landing the bark moored to is situated near historical centre of the capital.

In spite of its considerable age the bark is in a good technical condition, it is equipped with the modern navigation equipment and instruments and has comfortable conveniences for the crew.

Commanding cabin turned out to be one of the most interesting places for Cubans on the ship. Before departure to home cadets of “Krusenstern” got up with the concert on the board of the ship.