OREANDA-NEWS. October 29, 2009. Preliminary results of work of tourist industry of Karelia were considered at the session of the public Council of heads of regional tourist organizations. The meeting was held in the Ministry of Economic Development of the republic. According to the information, presented by the department of economy and development of tourism, this year the island of Valaam was visited by about 120,000 guests and pilgrims, which is about 10,000 visitors more than last year. Kivach nature reserve, Vodlozersky and Paanajarvi national parks have received 98,500 visitors, last year 92,000 travellers have got acquainted with sights of these places. The place of extraction of the most valuable northern marble Ruskeala mountain park was visited by more than 22,000 tourists, last year it was visited by 18,000 tourists. Decrease in the number of visitors is observed on Kizhi island: last year the island famous all over the world has received the record number of tourists reached in all years – about 205,000 people, while this year this figure has made 162,000. Decrease is caused by the fact that this season less Russians have expressed desire to buy cruise ship tours, there also became less individual tourists due to high transfer prices from Petrozavodsk to the island. The number of foreign visitors has remained about the same, the number of port-calls to Kizhi also remains almost at the level of the last year.

According to representatives of travel agencies, certain increase in the number of visitors of especially significant tourist objects of Karelia is related to the fact that the number of tourists travelling independently has increased. On some objects there have been developed new attractive routes, there have been introduced additional services. At the same time tourist organizations of the republic observe reduction in demand for corporate vacation. Inexpensive tours with accommodation in tents and small guest houses were in demand this year during the season.

At the session of public Council heads of travel agencies have also discussed prospects of work in the following season. Serious concern was caused with increase of electricity tariff for the next year, on the preliminary data by almost 40%. In the opinion of tourist community it can lead to a new price rises, in particular, on hotel services, and, as consequence, such situation can cause decrease in the tourist flow.

Adjusted total of work of the tourist branch of Karelia including incomes of tourist industry, will be brought in December, 2009 at the session of the Coordination Council on development of tourism in the Republic of Karelia.