According to the RF Federal Boarder Service last year 2,919 thousand foreign tourists came to Moscow via airports. The total inflow of foreigners that visited Moscow in 2004 has increased by 17.3 percent as compared to the year 2003 and by 96.5 percent to 1999. The most number of foreign tourists came from Germany (248,629), the USA (172,639), France (113,312), Italy (106,207), Great Britain (101,049), Turkey (90,853), China (69,843), Japan (48,320), Israel (45,985), and South Korea (41,072). Grigory Antyufeev, head of the Moscow Tourism Committee, pointed out that despite the inbound flow decline caused by terrorist acts in Russia and Moscow, the 2004 figures go ahead the rate of growth envisaged by the Moscow Tourism Development Programme. //RTN
07.02
Round-the-clock buses connect two airports in Moscow
On February 1 in Domodedovo airport additionally to special taxi-hiring counters in waiting areas two new counters were opened in the baggage-issuing area of international and domestic airlines. Now one can reserve and pay a taxi to any point of Moscow and the suburbs just while waiting for or getting the luggage. Besides, a new kind of services has appeared at Domodedovo - twenty-four-hour bus run to Sheremetevo international airport. Passengers landing in Domodedovo, in case of need, can use a transfer to Sheremetevo, thus minimizing their time and money spending. //RTN
07.02
Ancient Russian village to be restored to life
The Social Fund Svyatoslav that has been set up in Barnaul to support the development of culture and tourism plans to build a true Russian village as it was in antiquity with old-time way of life. The village will be recreated on Krasilovo Lake shore in Kosikhinsky District. It is supposed that it will be not a mere museum in the open air but a well considered tourist complex where everyone who wishes will have the opportunity to join to culture, traditions and every-day life of distant ancestors. //Sibir news agency
07.02
Moscow can be viewed from a height of 80 m
Observation ground is to be built on the upper tier of the Kremlins Ivan the Great Bell Tower. From the 80-meter high Tower Moscow is observed as far as for over 20 km. Besides, on the two tiers beneath there will be arranged an exposition through which visitors will be able to learn in detail how the architectural ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin developed over seven centuries. This year other Kremlins museums will face changes. All these works are dated to the coming 200-th anniversary of the Moscow Kremlin museum complex. //Ytro.ru
07.02
The largest in Russia museum of ethnography to appear in Kostroma
The museum of wood architecture in Kostroma will be turned into one of the largest museums of ethnography in Russia. Close with the Ipatievsky Monastery on the territory of 200 hectares a tourist centre will be constructed. The centre will include hotels, avenue of craftspeople, fishermens area, Punch and Judy show, and even a peculiar mini-shipyard where everyone who wishes can join to making boats under supervision of skilled boat-makers. In tea-rooms and eating-houses tourists will learn secrets of Russian cuisine. The territory of the museum of wood architecture will be expanded four times. Also, the number of architectural monuments will be increased; not long ago village houses from Vokhomsky and Chuhlomsky Districts were delivered to the museum. //RTN
25.01
Circular walking tour to appear in Buryatia
Development of a circular tour in Kurumkansky District is being planned in Buryatia in the frameworks of The Path of Old Evenk project. The path goes through ancestral Evenk lands: the starting point is Alla settlement (the Evenk centre of Yukte) and then north-eastward along the right bank of the Barguzin River up to the settlement of Ulyunkhan. From this point the route goes across the left bank of the same river toward Dzherginsky Reserve up to its main base and then south-westward up to Evenk ancestral farms. Here radial tours are provided for tourists. Further the path goes back to Alla settlement. The total length of the path is about 80 km. Today the route needs clearing and establishing several campsites. //BaikalLand
25.01
Oceanarium to be built in Primorie
President of Russia Vladimir Putin has appropriated 1.2 billion roubles for construction of an oceanarium in Vladivostok city. That is the result of the meeting of Sergei Darkin, governor of the Primorie Territory, with the President. The business-plan and initial technical documentation of the project have already been designed. In future it is expected that educational lecture rooms and research laboratories will be constructed and a unique computer data base and collection of worlds sea fauna will be created. The other part of the oceanarium will include hotels, restaurants, aqua-park, entertainment and sports centres. //REGNUM news agency
25.01
Accommodation-business centre to be built not far from Sheremetevo airport
A multi-functional accommodation-and-business centre is to be built in the north of Moscow, in Molzhaninovo area, not far from Sheremetevo-2 airport. The total area of all the buildings to be constructed will exceed 60 thousand sq m. The complex will include an exhibition and conference centre, 5- to 8-storied hotel, 5- to 9-storied office building, subsurface garage and parking. //Information Centre of Moscow administration
25.01
Moscow authorities preparing surprise by the Pancake Week festival
The open-air folk merrymaking in Moscow dated to seeing-off the Russian winter will be held from March 7 to 13. As it was in the years past, the coming Pancake Week in Moscow promises to be bright, colourful and joyous, and as to Muscovites and the city guests a number of festive surprises are being prepared for them. According the forecasts of the head of the Moscow Tourism Committee Grigory Antyufeev, inflow of domestic and foreign tourists in the capital during the Pancake Week holiday is expected. This time the main festive events will take place on Vasilievski Slope near the Kremlin. The organizers intend to amaze people with some new record, which one it is kept in secret. As G. Antyufeev pointed out the record, most likely, would not be connected with cooking something exceptional.
The largest pancake we have already baked, as well as the tallest pancake pile which was baked last year. Now we are going to attract to holding a record as many people as we can. And what it will be the Muscovites will know a bit later.//Moscovsky Komsomolets newspaper
22.12
Tourists are waited for in Winter Nomad Camp
Presentation of the tourists booklet Winter Yugra Invites Guests and two social tours, Fantastic Capital of Yugra and The Fourth Wish. The ethnographic element, Winter Nomad Camp, which will appear in the centre of Khanty-Mansiysk by the New Year, was of particular interest. From December 31 to January 9 in the Camp tourists will be acquainted with culture and traditional ceremonies of the Ob Ugra aborigines. Also, guests will be invited to take part in Business Lunch in the Khanty manner, in reindeer-team ride, to visit the trade exhibition of traditional folk handicraft articles. Christmas programme that includes holding a rural fair, national folk amusements and traditional reindeer riding has been planned for January 47. //RTN
22.12
Krasnodar Territory recognized the region of future
The results of participation of the Cuban delegation in City-Scape international exhibition of resort real estate and architecture held in Dubai have been summed up. It is generally agreed that the presentation of the Territory and investment projects displayed by Krasnodar, Novorossisk, Sochi and other cities of the AzovBlack Sea coast related to the local resort estate, development of the area, construction of hotels and business centres was a success. The fact that the Territory had become a winner of the European Region of Future 2004/05 competition in the nomination of Economic Potential has assisted in achieving such an optimistic perspective. At the exhibition in Dubai the representatives from Kuban were handed over a diploma confirming their win. //Krasnodar News
22.12
One more hiking route round Moscow
The city authorities plan to lay out a new tourist route which is to connect Leninsky Avenue with the Moscow-City international business-centre. The idea has been approved at the session of the public town-planning council under the mayor of Moscow. The length of the route will be 4.5 km. It will stretch from Leninsky Avenue through Gagarina Square, Neskuchny Garden, Komsomolsky Avenue, Devichie Pole, Square of Europe, Ukrainsky Boulevard, and Expocentre to the Moscow-City business-centre. Besides, the outlying zones of the route will include a number of particularly interesting sights, such as the Donskoi and Novodevichy Monasteries, Provision Storehouse (architectural monument of the 19-th century), and Park of Arts. Two foot-bridges Andreevsky and Bogdan Khmelnitsky have already been built on the route to be. //Rosbalt news agency
22.12
Foreigners to be denuded of visa for disrespecting Russia
The State Duma Committee for Constitutional Legislation and State Building recommended the deputies to adopt in first reading the amendments to some laws regulating entry to and exit from the territory of Russia of foreign citizens. In particular, it is suggested that the order of issuing visas to foreign journalists should be simplified. On the other hand, the proposed amendments enlarge the list of whys and wherefores a visa may be nullified as well as the time of staying of a foreigner in Russia may be shortened. For instance, in the deputies opinion reasons for refusing to issue a visa to any foreigner who doesnt show his/her HIV-absence certificate must be worded. Also, among similar reasons is pro forma marriage contracted to get an entry visa to Russia. Besides, the bill proposes cancellation of Russian visa that had been given to those who abuse drags or suffer from extremely dangerous infectious diseases.
A foreigner who had been noticed in barefaced disrespectful actions towards Russia, state run public authorities, and state symbols or in displaying contempt for historically originated and commonly accepted in Russia national valuables can also be refused in issuing visa. //Gazeta.ru
22.12
Tungus meteorite falling site turns into popular tourist attraction
A large number of requests from Russian and foreign tourists wishing to visit the site where the well-known Tungus meteorite fell in 1908 come annually in Tungusky nature state reserve. On the territory of the reserves administration there is a visit-centre where travellers can get some knowledge of the history of the Tungus phenomenon study and to see video-films about Ewenkia (local nationality settlement) nature.
Also, there are three ecology tourism itineraries operate in the reserve. According to Veronika Cherkasova, deputy director for ecological enlightenment of Tungusky nature state reserve, there are all necessary prerequisites there for development of both domestic and foreign knowledge-gaining and scientific tourism. //Independent news agency
22.12
To its 1000-th anniversary Kazan gets race track as a present
Construction of the largest in the Povolzhie Region international-class equestrian-sport complex has started in Kazan. The 90-hectare race track having 7000-people capacity will be located on the territory of the former Kazan airport. The race track will include riding park, banyan hospital, jockey club, restaurant, sporting tackle shops, souvenir stalls, apartment blocks for the complex workers.
Special attention is given to furnishing of stables. //Stadium news agency
22.12
Childrens Park of Wonders to appear in Moscow
Childrens Park of Wonders with copies in miniature of the Eiffel Tower, ancient castles and fortresses will soon appear in the north-west of Moscow, on Nozhni Mnevniki flood-lands. The project on construction of the Park has been approved by the Public Architectural Council at the Moscow mayor administration.
The cultural and entertainment centre will include park amusements Kosmos (Space), Hostess of the Copper Mountain (character of a Russian fairy-tale of the same name), Travel to the Past, Life of Animals and Plants, as well as pavilions Earth, Air, Water and Fire.
Also there will be childrens creativity centre, branch of the Moscow zoo, puppet- and shadow-shows, square for mass activities and childrens play grounds. To do shopping various malls, stalls and small markets have been provided for. The nearby hotel will accommodate the guests wishing to visit the Park. //Moscow administration news centre
22.12
Water route to connect sights of St. Petersburg
Next spring the St. Petersburg Tourism and Excursion Council will launch a new project. Eight launches of 50-people capacity each will sail along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg. The regular route with stops will connect palaces and museums located on the Neva River and canals. The vessels will sail daily from May through September, every 20 minutes. Besides, irregular routes connecting the Council owned hotels with architectural monuments and restaurants on banks are being worked out. //Business Petersburg
01.12
In Veliki Oustyug one can take a hotel room with view to Father Frost
A new hotel with 48-bed accommodation capacity is about to be opened in Veliki Oustug city. It is a two-storied building of brick with about 1700 sq m living area. Guests of the new hotel can feast their eyes upon the Father Frost just through the windows in their rooms, since the hotel is located directly on the territory of Father Frosts estate.
The hotel is well-equipped and, at present, practically ready to receive guests. All the construction and finishing works have been completed, and now furnishing the rooms with refrigerators, tv-sets, beds, linen, and so on are being carried out. Travel agencies already can sell tour packages and gather tourist groups to fill up the hotel.
01.12
Domodedovo to connect Europe and Asia
The Hanoi-Moscow-Frankfurt transit flight will be carried out through Domodedovo international airport. Experts from East-Line Group, management company of Domodedovo airport, and Vietnamese national carrier Vietnamese Airlines have already been completing the appropriate organizational-and-technical preparation. The first flight is scheduled for December 2. The project will be another step towards implementation of the program aiming at establishing in Domodedovo a transfer center between Europe and south-eastern Asia.
01.12
Northern capital to be split into pedestrian zones
Probably, pedestrian theme zones will appear in St. Petersburg, such as "Museum St. Petersburg," "St. Petersburg of Dostoevsky," and "Sports St. Petersburg." Valintina Matviyenko, city governor, thinks that the pedestrian zones conception will make the city more attractive for travellers. However, she noted that the idea requires additional study, particularly as to economic calculations and co-ordination with city traffic.
24.11
Yakutia represented "Pole of Cold" rally project
The Ministry for Business, Tourism Development and Employment of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) held a working meeting in Moscow where it represented a number of interesting programs. Tourists are offered to make a cruise on the Lena River, order an ornithological tour to Ust-Lenski national park, to
visit diamond mines of Yakutia. One of the most interesting offers is international motor-tour and rally "Pole of Cold." The project implies
creation specific infrastructure and requires investments in the amount of US$1.1 million. Besides, by the end of the forthcoming winter a
Santa-Clauses residence is to be constructed. A charter flight YakutskFinland is planned to be set up. Foundation of a travel-information centers in Moscow and Yakutsk is being developed. Some day soon a tourism development conception will be considered at a regular session of the Republican Government.
24.11
Vnukovo to be turned into the major air gateway to Russia
Vladimir Putin has signed the decree "On assignation of JSC Vnukovo Airport shares belonging to the Federal Government to Moscow city ownership." Now, the capital will be the owner of 60.88 percent of the airport shares. Yuri Luzhkov, mayor of the capital, seriously intends to turn Vnukovo into the major gateway to the country. The carrying capacity of the airport is planned to be increased up to 12 million passengers p.a. The governmental
terminal is to be reconstructed, new business and passenger terminals and goods warehouse will be built. Besides, a host of new car parks, restaurants and cafes will appear in Vnukovo. For the convenience of passengers the Moscow authorities are going to complete repair of the 15-km section of Kievskoye high road to the airport and to start building of "light" metro line from Yugo-Zapadnaya station. Today, a project on building a fast railway to connect the metropolitan business centre Moscow-City with Vnukovo terminal is being worked out in the city administration.
24.11
Network of private hotels to be built in near-border villages of Karelia
The 4th annual international exhibition "Tourist Karelia 2003" has been opened in Petrozavodsk. Representatives of travel agencies and administrative bodies from regions of the North-Western and Central Federal Districts, the Krasnodar Territory, Finland, Denmark, and Ireland are taking
part in the event. They will see the tourist products represented by Karelian travel agencies. The new international project on development of agricultural tourism is expected to draw particular interest. The project provides for construction of a great number of private guest houses in near-birder villages and settlements of Karelia. Another project is represented by the Petrozavodsk administration; it is aimed at holding international festivals with participation of cultural workers from different countries. The participants are supposed to discuss practical issues relating to attraction of investments in tourism business and to creation of new tourist products.
24.11
Businessmen of Omsk city rent local forests for tourism purposes
To rent woods to businessmen is new undertakings in the Omsk region. Participants of open competitions are to represent their proposals on using and accomplishment of forests and to give information about the probable investments. The rent is possible for two purposes round-wood harvest and sports-and-tourist activity. Local businessmen do not intend to fell trees. Instead, they are going to accomplish clearings to hold tourist gatherings, competitions, to lay routs and grounds for sports games, paintball, for instance. The rent amount is established by the forestry administration.
25.04
Informbank Tour invites...
Informbank Tour invites everyone who wishes to get acquainted with its tour packages to visit booth No. 167 - D 3 at the third Moscow International Travel Fair (MITF). MITF is an annual official event held by the Moscow city government. The Fair is intended for both tour-business professionals and individuals who are planning their holiday making on the threshold of the forthcoming summer leaves. The Fair is to be held at the Gostinyi Dvor exhibition centre, nearby the Red Square and Moscow Kremlin, which it is considered the best exhibition complex in the capital.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Fair!
25.04
With blessing from relics of the Sovetsky wonder-workers' saint bodies
We are pleased to inform you that this year's tourist season on the Solovetsky Islands has been opened. Informbank Tour is prepared to help you in making a journey to the Islands, provide you with comfortable accommodation and do its best to make you absorbed in historical atmosphere of the old-time events which left their scores there.
On April 10, Informbank Agency got blessing of hierarchy of the Solovetsky Savior-Transfiguration stauropegion friary for pilgrimage to the tabernacle in the forthcoming season.
Make a tour to the Solovetsky Islands via Informbank Tour agency.
25.04
Tourist navigation to the North Pole has come to the end
We would like to inform you that a day or two ago a second airplane delivered tourists to the arctic expedition camp. Next flights are getting ready now, and we can say with certainty that the expedition to the North Pole of the Earth has come about. The tourist navigation of this year will be completed on April 30, 2003.
We have to recall you that apart from short-range expeditions the "Polus" Center being supported by the Government of Russia and the Russian Academy of Science has been organizing a drifting station in the Arctic Ocean. The life-time of the "North Pole - 1/32" drifting station is several years. During the first year of drifting the station, due to specific arctic bottom topography and the Arctic Ocean currents, will cover about 600 km poleward and during next years will go on drifting around this point within a radius of about 150 km.
Those who haven't yet felt the whole of sensory acuity are invited to take part in the next year's arctic expedition.
04.04
Baikonur space center with your own eyes
The membership of the ISS seventh long-duration crew that is to set off for the station on April 26, 2003 by Soyuz TMA-2 Russian spacecraft has been officially approved. The spacecraft will be launched from Baikonur space center.
This time, there are only two astronauts in the crew: Yuri Malenchenko (Russia) and Edward Lu (USA). Both of them are well experienced astronauts, each has more than one space flight behind himself.
Yu. Malenchenko was the head of a four-month expedition to "Mir" station in 1994, and in 2000 he flew to the ISS on Atlantis shuttle to prepare the station to arrival of a long-duration crew.
Edward Lu flew on shuttles twice - in 1997 and 2000. In the course of the former of these he visited "Mir" space station and in the course of the latter he, together with Yu. Malenchenko, was among the Atlantis crew.
Their back-ups are Alexander Kalery and Michael Fowl who, if everything is OK, will, most likely, be main members of the next expedition to the ISS.
Yu. Malenchenko and E. Lu will replace the present, sixth, crew - Ken Bowersocks, Nikolai Budarin and Don Pettite who have been on the ISS since November 2002.
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