New Nature Tourism Products from the Republic of K.. (On the Trail of Nous..)
New Nature Tourism Products from the Republic of Karelia
(On the Trail of Nousija Karelians)
Start date: Mar 31, 2004,
End date: Dec 30, 2006
PROJECT
FINISHED
The goal of the project was to map two water regions using Finnish and Russian cooperation and to prepare two new nature and cultural travel routes for use by tourism. In addition, direct contacts were to be made between entrepreneurs in the Lieksa area and the Mujejärvi region during the process. The project was also to assemble environmental and historical information as background for the tourism products, assess the essential permit practices and arrange a trial trip. Websites that would include the routes, available services and necessary connections and permit practices suitable for different user groups were to be created together with Russian counterparts. Achievements: Three mapping trips were made to the Republic of Karelia in order to assess the terrain. On one of the trips, the Tsirkka–Kemijoki waterways were mapped by travelling along two routes using a rubber raft. In addition, the roadways within range of the route were assessed by land. The rapids, campsites and obstacles that disrupt travel were mapped and the general travel conditions and suitability for water-based excursions were assessed along the routes. On the second trip, the Rukajärven tie tourism product was mapped by driving along the roadways on the east and west side of Lake Lieksajärvi and by assessing the general condition for travel and mapping the undrivable sections and other obstacles. The routes were stored in a GPS recording device. On the third mapping trip, for the Tiiksa– Borovoi route, the rapids, campsites and obstacles that disrupt travel were mapped and the general travel conditions and suitability for water-based excursions were assessed. The mapping trip was organised through a Russian company, Matka-Kos, which specialises in wilderness travel; journeys along the route were taken on a Russian rubber raft. This allowed the suitability and quality of local services from the perspective of a Western tourist group to be assessed. In addition to the mapping trips, negotiation trips necessary for cooperation were made to Mujejärvi, Lentiira and Petrozavodsk. During the trip to Petrozavodsk, historical information regarding the activity area was obtained from Petrozavodsk State University and the waterway planning and water flow rates of the Mujejärvi region were researched at the Northern Water Problems Institute. The project also arranged a trial trip to the Tsikka Kem river for tourism entrepreneurs. During the trip, Finnish travel service providers familiarised themselves with an exemplary Russian tourism product as well as Russian service and expertise. The visitors who took part in the trial trip provided positive feedback about the excursion, and the destinations prepared in the project were to be included in companies tourism product offerings. The project launched a website, which presents the essential results of the project and helps companies and independent tourists prepare for trips on the new routes created and described by the project by providing the necessary information. The most signifi cant North Karelian companies that offer nature excursions to Russia were integrated into the website.
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