Russia's Murmansk Region launches tourist programme - governor

NOVO-OGAREVO, March 27 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia's Murmansk Region started
developing its tourist programme together with the Ministry of Regional
Development and the Ministry of Economic Development, Governor Dmitry
Dmitriyenko told Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
"For example, we have started a programme called Russian Lapland," he
said. "We have attracted investors and hope to follow the experience of
our counterparts in Finland, or even to make it better."
At the same time, "the region develops sports tourism, especially in
Kirovsk /a popular ski resort about 175 kilometres south of Murmansk/. The
region "has several interesting projects with the ministry of sports."
Putin wanted to know how long skiing season is in the Murmansk Region.
"Even in early May," the governor replied.
The region has launched a flight to Kirovsk.
"Now, it is easier to get there - not via Murmansk, but directly, and
we hope this would be additional impetus to development of tourism,"
Dmitriyenko said, adding that the region still lacks hotels.
"We are attracting investors to build a network of affordable
three-star hotels," he said. "We negotiate with several chain companies,
and hope they will come to our region, while we are ready to help with the
construction."