Karelia is actively developing its tourist industry. The republic has presented more than 10 new projects at the International Investment Forum in Sochi. “Spiritual transformation of the Russian North” is the most large-scale of them all. The idea behind the program is to unite three great islands – Kizhi, Valaam and Solovki. It is planned to create additional infrastructure around these places – moorages, hotels, business and cultural centres. This will result in the appearance of common travel route covering three orthodox monasteries. 

      Other suggestions were to develop the existing health resort “Martsialnye Vody” by building new sanatoriums with healing clay and to provide the construction of water centre in Petrozavodsk.

      Government of Karelia is expecting an increase in tourism sector contribution to GDP by about 15%.

      Source: travel.ru. Image courtesy: www.enjoyrussian.com