OREANDA-NEWS. January 27, 2011. From January 20 to January 23 Messukeskus exhibition center of Helsinki, Finland, was a venue for the international tourist exhibition MATKA – 2011.

As a tradition, the Republic of Karelia being one of the main tourist destinations in the northwest of the Russian Federation took part in this significant tourist exhibition of North Europe.

In 2011 MATKA exhibition presented 1200 exhibitors from 70 countries, including the largest Finnish companies. Estonia was a partner country of the exhibition. Representatives of such countries as Macedonia, Gabon, Azerbaijan and Singapore have taken part in the exhibition for the first time, and exhibitors from Denmark and Nepal have returned to the exhibition after a few years.

Karelia was presented at the exhibition by a uniform stand and comprised the main part of the exposition of the Russian Federation. Experts of the Administration of Petrozavodsk city district, Information Tourist Center of the Republic of Karelia, Kizhi open-air museum, Intourist-Petrozavodsk Joint-Stock Company and Nordic Travel, Ltd. travel agencies, the Marcial Waters (Martsialnye Vody) spa, Tourholding Karelia, Ltd. worked at the uniform stand of Karelia. In addition, Druzhba, Ltd., Korela, Ltd. and Kolmas Karelia, Ltd. travel agencies of the republic presented their tourist products at the stand of the Finnish company Futurist. Karelia-Fleet tourist and transport company was presented by an individual worksite.

Guidebooks, catalogues, brochures, booklets, leaflets for promotion and information about tourist organizations were distributed at the exhibition, visitors of the stand were consulted, prospects of development of new tourist services and programs were discussed. Among the Russian regions the Republic of Karelia was be notable for the most significant representation, appeal of tourist offers to visitors of the exhibition.

Opinion poll among representatives of Karelian tour operators concerning efficiency of participation in the exhibition has revealed that almost all of their expectations were legitimated. Karelian participants of the exhibition pointed out that there remains interest to Karelia, however, no increase in tourist traffic from the countries of Scandinavia is expected in the season of 2011. The principal factor inhibiting growth of entrance tourist flow in the republic from abroad remains high cost of packages of proposals of Karelian tour operators.