Russland entwickelt polnischen Tourismus

Center of Polar Tourism will be built in Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area by joint forces of Administration of the district and the Finnish consortium “Sofi”. Agreement on this project was signed on February 10, 2010 by Governor YNAA and CEO Erkii Leppyanenom, states ITAR-TASS.

For Russia, this is a good chance to launch a major tourism projects across the north. As stated the advisor of the head of Russian Federal Tourism Agency: “At the last meeting of the International Cooperation Committee of the Arctic region, which was held earlier this month in Stockholm, a working group for the development of polar tourism was created. This year, Russian Federation is the chairman of the international organization. To promote tourism projects in the Arctic countries large funds are allocated – about a hundred million Euros” – quotes Inform Agency “Sever-Press”.

Experts estimate that construction could cost 6 billion rubles and spread over two years. However, public funds will not be invested in the construction – the task of “Sofi” is to attract investments, third-party means. The State from its part will provide spaces for buildings, technical and legislative framework.

The center of Polar Tourism will be raised in two stages: first is to build a hotel complex for 500 places, then the center itself and cottages – for another 500 places. The complex will include concert halls, restaurants, entertainment centers, swimming pools and other tourist facilities. Officials hope that foreigners in Russia will be interested in not only the cultural sights of the capital and the Golden Ring, but the natural features of the country, giving ample opportunity for the extreme and ecological tourism.

It is expected that tourist center will take up to sixty thousand people annually. As said the Deputy Governor of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area: “It's a little compared to the major tourist centers of Europe, but absolutely sufficient for the Yamal”.

The prototype of the new center of Polar Tourism will be his Finnish counterpart, successfully functioning in Lapland.

Concern “Sofi” is one of the largest in Finland, it includes more than 40 Finnish construction companies. It participates in the construction of the Olympic Stadium in Sochi.