Sochi plans to welcome almost three million tourists in summer

SOCHI, April 10 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia's Black Sea resort, Sochi, plans
to welcome at least 2.8 million guests in summer.
From the beginning of the current year, 287,500 tourists have come to
the city, 48 percent of most hotels are occupied, Sochi's Mayor Anatoli
Pakhomov said.
Despite the preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, the resort
sector is a priority.
"All tourists who come to us should know - construction is going on,
but it does not affect holidays here," he said.
Summer season in 2011 will begin a month earlier, than usually - on
May 14. Before the swimming period, the city will launch a major
promotional campaign in Russia's cities, which population exceeds one
million, and on central TV.
"The reason we changed the dates for swimming season is to expand time
frames for holidays at the Black Sea," the Mayor explained. "The sooner it
starts, the higher are revenues of our businesses and resorts."
From this year, the city will offer 30 more municipal beaches. The
opening ceremony of a new, sixth, mineral water pumping station will open
the new season.
The mayor is sure that the coming season will be more profitable than
the previous one.
"Financial guarantees were given to 77 percent of our resorts, and
their input in the region's consolidated budget revenues may make 3.6
billion roubles."