OREANDA-NEWS. On the invitation of Head of Karelia a delegation of French experts in tourism has been working in the republic for 4 days. The main purpose of the visit was to provide an independent estimation of prospects of development of the branch of tourism in the region. The experts have visited Petrozavodsk, the region of Lake Ladoga coast, Pryazha and Medvezhiegorsk regions, as well as world famous islands of Kizhi and Valaam. On July, 4 the French guests have shared their impressions at the meeting with Head of Karelia Alexander Khudilainen.

We've seen a princess - a sleeping beauty. We've fallen in love with what we've seen, - head of the delegation Georges Morizot spoke of the land of Karelia. - The republic has great prospects in development of tourism. However, we've got to work to create a beautiful image of Karelia at the international level.

In the opinion of French experts, first of all, the efforts should be focused on Petrozavodsk, as the city is a trademark of Karelia, a bench mark for tourists tavelling about the republic.

The experts will be ready to proffer their help in development of some tourist attractions of Petrozavodsk and bringing to the international standards, so that travel companies could include them in their programs and lookbooks.

Besides, the experts have expresses readiness to share their experience in development of natural parks, rural tourism, render assistance from the point of view of organization of tourist activities, and training of experts in this sphere.

As a whole, as the French visitors observed, it is necessary to make some spheres of tourism more accessible to attract as many tourists as possible. There should be more places for accommodation, and, in their opinion, these should be Karelian-style houses along the banks of lakes and rivers which the republic is so rich in.

On results of their work in the republic, the experts will draw up recommendations on the presentation of Karelia at the international level. To begin with, they suggest to take several key objects of many tourist sights to develop them collaboratively, and then to proceed from plans to implementation of projects.

Alexander Khudilainen has thanked the experts for good job, having emphasized that the parties indeed have areas of common interest for cooperation.