Natalia Alexandrovna Belyaeva, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Karelia to the President of the Russian Federation, took part in the meeting of the International Discussion Club “VISION 3000”, the theme of which was: “Tourism as a bridge between cultures: development of interregional and international routes”.
Natalia Alexandrovna invited the audience to take a visual journey to a land where nature and culture exist in inseparable harmony. Her performance created an atmosphere of immersion in the mystical and majestic world of the Russian North.
Dear colleagues!The Republic of Karelia is one of the unique regions of Russia, where an amazing variety of natural and cultural heritage is concentrated on a relatively small territory. This is what makes Karelia one of the key areas for the development of domestic tourism in our country. Today, all major types of tourism are actively developing in the region — ecological, health, industrial, and pilgrimage — and each of them plays a role in shaping an attractive image of Karelia.First of all, it is worth highlighting ecological tourism. Karelia is a land of lakes and forests, where the possibilities for traveling in the bosom of nature are almost limitless. The Paanayarvi, Vodlozersky, and Kalevalsky National parks, as well as the natural complexes of the Ladoga skerries, are now becoming points of attraction for tourists interested in sustainable practices and environmental conservation. Ecotourism in Karelia is not only about recreation, but also about fostering respect for nature and the formation of an ecological culture.Wellness tourism occupies a special place in Karelia. It was here, on the Marcial Waters, that Peter the Great created the first resort in Russia, which marked the beginning of the sanatorium business in the country. Unique mineral springs, a healing climate and a combination of natural factors have made Karelia one of the centers of recreational recreation. Today, traditions are being preserved and developed: the sanatorium and wellness complexes of the republic receive tourists from all over Russia, offering not only treatment and prevention, but also the opportunity to combine wellness with outdoor activities.Industrial tourism is actively developing. Karelia is a region with a rich history of mining and the development of the timber industry. Today, mining enterprises, as well as modern production facilities, are becoming open to the public, which allows tourists and residents of the region to form an understanding of how the economy works, what technologies are used, and how industry and nature can coexist.Pilgrimage tourism in Karelia is associated with the names of outstanding ascetics of Orthodoxy, primarily St. Alexander of Svir, as well as the Valaam and Solovetsky monasteries, which are traditionally associated with the Karelian land. The preservation and development of pilgrimage routes contributes not only to the strengthening of spiritual traditions, but also creates a steady interest in Karelia on the part of Russian and foreign pilgrims.As for successful practices, Karelia already has something to be proud of. First of all, it is Kizhi Island and the Onega and Belomorsky petroglyphs, UNESCO World Heritage Sites that have become not just a tourist attraction, but symbols of Russia in the international arena. The Valaam Archipelago is another example of how cultural and spiritual heritage can unite people of different countries and faiths. In addition, it is worth noting the Karelian Birch project, aimed at popularizing folk crafts and gastronomic traditions of the republic. These practices show how culture, history, and modern service can work together.It is necessary to mention separately the inter-regional routes. They are becoming the most important tool for integrating Karelia into the all-Russian cultural space. Today, cooperation with the Arkhangelsk, Leningrad regions, Murmansk and other regions is actively developing. Silver Necklace is an interregional tourism project that unites historical cities, regional centers, natural sites, attractions and monuments in 11 regions of the North-Western Federal District of Russia. The project includes more than 170 tourist routes that pass through the territory of 60 cities of the former Novgorod Principality.Routes such as the “Great Karelian Ring” or projects connecting Karelia with the “Silver Necklace of Russia” allow tourists to see the richness of the northern heritage in its entirety, which helps strengthen the unity of the peoples of Russia and creates a steady interest in domestic travel.Thus, the Republic of Karelia has a unique potential for the comprehensive development of tourism. A skillful combination of traditions and modern technologies, the development of interregional and international cooperation, as well as consistent work on infrastructure creation and personnel training will make Karelia not only the hallmark of Russia, but also a region where tourism is becoming an important factor in social and cultural development.However, there is still work to be done in the tourism sector, such as the construction of hotels and guest houses, road repairs, and the creation of new tourist routes. Due to the fact that tourism remains a rather expensive type of recreation, the most important vector for the development of interregional cooperation is the development of social tourism. Large families, pensioners, students, people with disabilities, members of their families and their families should be able to travel, discover new interesting places, study the culture and history of their country, relax and receive treatment in natural conditions. This is a very important and difficult task for us right now. Therefore, I suggest that we all think about what mechanisms exist for the development of social tourism. Maybe we should even make this one of the topics of our next meeting. So that we can brainstorm our ideas and proposals and submit them to the Commission of the State Council of the Russian Federation.
More photos on the link https://vk.com/album-211188669_308661589
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