The Governor of the Altai Territory spoke about the tourist opportunities of Altai
On December 24, the Russian news agency TASS hosted a press conference of Altai Krai Governor Alexander Karlin and Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia Maya Lomidze. At the press conference, Alexander Karlin and Maya Lomidze spoke about the development of tourism in the Altai Territory, about the tourist opportunities of the Altai Territory in the light of the growing interest in the Russian direction, about plans and prospects for the development of tourism in the region in 2016.
Currently, the Altai Territory is one of the leading regions of the Siberian Federal District for the development of tourism. The variety of natural landscapes, the presence of unique historical and cultural monuments, a favorable climate annually attract hundreds of thousands of not only Russian but also foreign tourists to the region.
“The number of tourists coming to the Altai Territory is increasing every year. According to preliminary estimates of specialists, the tourist flow in the region in 2015 approached 2 million people, which is 20% more than in 2014, said Alexander Karlin.
Altai Krai is positioned as a multi-profile tourist region, on the territory of which a variety of recreation and tourism programs are presented.
Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, noted the positive dynamics of tourism development in the region: In those regions where there is no sea, other types of tourism are actively developing - sports, sanatorium-resort, cultural, educational, children's, excursion. To attract tourists interested in sightseeing objects or active recreation, the efforts of the region are needed, and in this context I would like to note the work of the Altai Territory. This region, remote from the Central Federal District, has been showing one of the best dynamics for several years. In our opinion, this is related to the approach to the formation of tourist demand.”
Maya Lomidze also cited the experience of the Altai Territory in building relations with the tourist business. This year, Alexander Karlin met with leading tour operators. According to the results of a number of meetings, one of the leading tour operators, who had not previously worked in this direction, organized an information tour for travel agencies. The effect was overwhelming even for us. But the reviews that the tour operator received exceeded all expectations. It is worth noting that this tour operator included the Altai Territory in its product line. And this is the clearest example of how to build a relationship with business. Business should be interested not only in price advantages and opportunities in the region, but also in showing them. This is the path that the Altai Territory has taken. And we put that on our list. One of the regions has entered the product line of a tour operator engaged in mass product before.”
Reference
Altai Krai is in the top ten of the national rating of tourist attractiveness of the regions of the Russian Federation, compiled by the Center for Information Communications "Rating" and the magazine "Rest in Russia". In 2015, Altai Krai became one of the best tourist destinations, according to readers of the National Geographic Traveler Awards magazine.
In 2015, according to preliminary results, the tourist flow in the region reached 1.9 million people. In 2015, 25 new accommodation facilities were put into operation in the Altai Territory. In 2015, five owners of rural houses in the Altai Territory became members of the Peasant Hospitality Federation.