Current news available in St. Petersburg News Line

October 22, 2004
Bulgaria wants get access to charter market of Russia
Bulgaria asks Russia to provide “access to the of market air charter flights equal to the one Russian airlines have,” Sergey Naryshkin, head of the RF government staff, said commenting the results of his meeting in Sophia with vice-premier and transport minister of Bulgaria Nikolai Vasiliev. Today the tourist flow from Russia to Bulgaria is rather great. S. Naryshkin and N. Vasiliev have also discussed the project aimed at establishing direct ferryboat communication between Russia and Bulgaria.
Railways-Partner

October 21, 2004
Tour operators of St. Petersburg summarize results of the season
The St. Petersburg travel agencies establish a fact of a real rise in demand for package tours amongst foreign and Russian tourists. The duration of staying of foreigners in the northern capital and through-Internet sales volume as well as the number of individual tours have also increased. As to particular features of the just past season the travel firms remarked the increase in demand for river cruises which is limited by extreme shortage of comfortable motor ships. As before, St. Petersburg is a city that attracts mainly middle-aged and elderly people that have certain social benefits. Up to 80% of foreign visitants are pensioners.
RTH

October 21st, 2004
New transport corridor to link Scandinavia with Ural
The Regional Council of the Barents Euro-Arctic Region has approved the project on laying out a railway from Scandinavia to the Ural. The new transport corridor, Barents Link, will go across northern areas of Norway, Sweden and Finland and Karelia, Arkhangelsk Region, Komi Republic, Komi-Permyatsky Autonomous District and Perm Region. The trunk-railway of over 3 km length will connect the Norwegian port of Narvik with Perm city and assist in industrial development of out-of-the-way areas of the North-European Russia.
Regnum news agency

October 20th, 2004
Roads in Russia to be paid but high-quality
Speaking at the government session the RF transport minister Levitin said that “laying out the new fast motorway MoscowSt. Petersburg-Helsinki would be a powerful incentive to further development of the Moscow, Tver, Novgorod and Leningrad Regions, assist in rise of population mobility, creation of new working places, extend transport capacity of the international NorthSouth corridor and the sea port of St. Petersburg.”
Novosti News Agency of Russia

October 20th, 2004
Moscow to become largest mountain-skiing centre in Europe
Within the next few months construction of the largest in Europe mountain-skiing centre will start on Vorobiyovy Hills in Moscow. Independent on weather freaks, this all-the-year-round sports centre having 805-metre ski-track of 127-metre height differential will have the capacity to receive and conduct contests of the highest Olympic level. The track of 50 meters wide and covered with a tube-shape arch will run from Kosygina Street along the metro bridge across the Mosckva River to Luzhniki where a swimming pool, restaurant, shops of sport goods, skis rental agency, and fitness centre will be located. The metro station Vorobyovy Hills with direct exit to the complex is just nearby. Besides, right under the mountain-skiing track one more track for bobsleighs is planned to be built.
www.ski.ru

October 20th, 2004
Baltic largest hotel network comes to St. Petersburg
The leading hotel network of the Baltic countries, Reval Hotels, has taken a decision to build a four-star hotel in St. Petersburg. The opening is planned for 2006.
Regnum news agency

October 20th, 2004
Sakhalin Region allocates 5 million USD for construction of mountain-skiing centre
Authorities of the Sakhalin Region and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city have made their first joint working visit to the site where former tourist centre Mountain Air is being reconstructed. The officials inspected the road to the future sports complex and the east slope on Bolshevik Hill. According to the plan, within the next two years the sports complex will be adapted to mountain-skiing sport. On the south slope of Bolshevik Hill a new track will be laid out and a new elevator will be mounted there. The project is to be worked out as soon as a positive resolution of experts is ready. It is estimated that 5 million USD is required to do the whole work, the money will be allotted by the regional administration.
www.ski.ru

October 20, 2004
New image of tourist formed in Ekaterinburg
Europort, newly established specialized tour operator in Ekaterinburg, daughter enterprise of the Ural Airlines company, has entered the Ural market. This information was released to journalists at a news conference held in Ekaterinburg. The new company offers non-standard tours having some “zest” to France, Czech and Germany. All the tours arranged by the tour operator will be carried out on regular flights of Ural Airlines which will save tourists tiring travelling and transportation discomforts.
RTN

October 5th, 2004
Government of Russia supports activity of the Coordination Council
A regular session of the Coordination Committee on Tourism Industry Development in the Russian Federation, “Regions of Russia Moscow Agreement,” has been held in Moscow with participation of Vladimir Sibiryakov, head of the Tourism Department of the Federal Agency for Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism. In its sixth session the Council was added with new members: the Republic of Altai, Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Area, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Kaliningrad, Murmansk and Chelyabinsk Regions. Under the dynamic that has arisen in its extending the Coordination Committee is becoming a public agency on creation of the united tourist space in Russia.
www.tpnews.ru

October 4th, 2004
Agreements on simplifying visa regulation with Switzerland prepared
Russia and Switzerland are working out an agreement on simplifying the visa regulation. There is a good chance that the documents will be ready by the visit of Mishlin Calmy-Ray, head of the Federal Foreign Department of Switzerland, to Moscow that is set for late November. The matter concerns some groups of people businessmen, students, professors, and cultural workers. It is supposed that a simpler visa issuing procedure will be adopted and multiple visas issuing to businessmen will be valid for three-year period.
Novosti News Agency of Russia

October 1st, 2004
The Aurora to shine with Russian Flag colours
A light-dynamic show is planned to be performed daily on the Aurora legendary cruiser in St. Petersburg in 2005. It is supposed that 30-minute illumination from beneath will be some sort of attractive shining show. Light-dynamic system will be installed on the cruise rostrum and stem and three-colour floodlights (red, blue and white colours of the Russian Flag) on the three funnels. At the same time a film about the cruise history will be projected on the side of the cruiser.
Regions of Russia news agency

September 29th, 2004
High-technology device provides security in Domodedovo airport
The first model of the latest design facility Ionscan 400B capable of detecting explosives and drugs has been put into operation in Domodedovo international airport. The device is installed in the Russian inland lines special control area. Ionscan 400B is designed for express detection and identification of drug or explosive traces and allows the examiners to discover over 40 sorts of explosives or drugs for less than 10 seconds. The results of examination are immediately appeared on the screen.
www.tpnews.ru

September 28th, 2004
Old hotels to turn into modern spa-homes
The St Petersburg Tourism and Excursion Council has developed a programme on reconstruction of the hotels that belong to it and to turn them into spa-homes. During next 35 years five operating hotels the Repinskaya, Okhtinskaya, Losevskaya, Russ, and Nakhimovskaya will be reconstructed. Over 30 million USD is to be allotted for the purpose. The modernization of all the hotels implies extending of the room resources up to three thousand suites and creation of spa-homes equipped with swimming pools, baths, massage and beauty shops. Besides, tennis-courts are to be opened in the Repinskaya, Losevskaya and Nakhimovskaya Hotels. Implementation of the programme will start with the Repinskaya Hotel. After the reconstruction it will be a mid-class hotel with a mall of shops and six restaurants and sports facilities. Also there will be a yacht-club and a tourist village of five high-class cottages.
On the base of the tourist camp of Nakhimovskaya a country spa-home will be built, it will have a hillside for mountain skiing and a haven for sailing vessels.
Business Petersburg

September 25th, 2004
Two more hotels sold in St. Petersburg
For the share holdings of the Tourist and Yuzhnaya hotels the city was paid 192 million roubles. The both hotels were purchased the Business-City Hotel, JSC, which had been founded by Moscow investors intentionally to construct and manage a network of hotels in Petersburg and Moscow.
Business Petersburg

September 21st, 2004
Another mountain-skiing centre in South Ural
In the near future one more mountain-skiing centre may appear in the Chelyabinsk Region. The centre is supposed to be located in surroundings of the South Ural town of Satka. By its nature environment Satka is a unique spot, the only similar place is Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi (Krasnodar Territory). The sheer variety of mountainsides abundant there, height differentials and picturesque sceneries around dispose to mountain skiing and tourism. At the moment the project has been worked out. The expected cost of it is 70 million USD. At present a question of various sources of financing is being considered.
UralPressInform

September 20th, 2004
Traditional Russian souvenir, matryoshka, attract more foreigners to Semyonov
From now on travellers visiting Russian metropolis will be able to carry high-quality souvenirs as keepsakes with them. It is decided that a special expert council on the matter will be established in Moscow. Only manufactures of souvenirs approved by the council will be granted right to sell their products in the capital. The major selection criteria will be quality and adequacy with the image of the Russian main city. Besides, in the context of Russian Souvenir project a tourist trail through folk crafts centres has already been developed. The trail will start in Moscow with visiting the Russias Craft Centre fair. The next points of the tour will be Gus Khrustalny (glass and crystal), Semyonov (Khokhloma painting), Mstyora (lacquered miniature painting on papier- mвchй boxes and plates) and Skopin (pottery). Construction of hotels is also planned. The first one, the Golden Khokhloma, will appear in Semyonov as early as next year.
It is this town that is expected to be the most popular among foreign tourists due to the fact that brightly painted matryoshka (several wooden dolls nestled inside each other) is the best-known Russian souvenir abroad.
www.rbc.ru

September 20th, 2004
Moscow suburb believes in Provincial Ring
The project “Provincial Ring of Moscow Region” will, among others, be represented at the 3-d International Forum “Moscow Suburb: Leisure & Tourism” to be held at the International Exhibition Centre CrocusExpo on October 25. It is expected that the tour which covers such historical cities as Serpukhov, Mozhaisk, Volokolamsk, Klin, Dmitrov, Sergiev Posad, and Kolomna will become the most demanded and competitive tourist route in the Region. The thematic conference “Tourism as an Economic Branch of Moscow Region” will, perhaps, be a key event of the Forum in the context of which a fair-presentation of investment projects will be held. A seminar on inland tourism, master-class “Secrets of Treasures Hidden in Moscow Suburbs,” seminar on excursion arrangements, and sports clothes and camping outfit show, drawing a car and tour packages as an entertaining programme are also planned.
Podmoscovie news agency

September 19th, 2004
The number of tourist routes in Ural increases
Over 160 thousand people have visited nature reserves and historical places of the Mid Ural since the beginning of the year. The most attractive for tourists were Verkhotursky Museum-Reserve, Neviyanskaya Inclined Tower, Church-on-the-Blood on the spot of execution of the tsar family, monastery complex on Ganina Pit, and places associated with Bazhovs tales. Besides, for the last few years traditional tourist routes through the near-Polar Ural have been added with new ones which are associated with the Romanov Dynasty history, the Demidovs heritage, and peculiarities of mining development in Russia.
ITAR-TASS

August 30th, 2004
Some Duma deputies for setting up united airline
Valery Draganov, head of the Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Business and Tourism, holds that It would be rational to set up a single natural monopoly based on all Russian airlines. “On knowing about the tragedy in which two our planes crashed I came to a conclusion of the urgent necessity to amend our legislation in order to set up a united airline and have already started consulting on initiation of appropriate bills,” he said. It is Draganovs opinion that the united airline would have larger financial capacity to renew the air fleet in due time and to improve maintenance service of planes and flight management. “At present, in every region of Russia there are, besides large, a number of smaller local airlines, and it is unlikely that all of them have qualified maintenance staff, not to mention their financial capacities to purchase up-to-date equipment,” the deputy pointed out.
www.NewsProm.ru

August 27th, 2004
The City Day in a la France manner
On the Day of City which is to be celebrated in Moscow on September 45 Teatralnaya Ploshchad (Theatre Square) in Russias capital will turn into a true French village. Famous performers of French cabaret songs Alexander Cravero, Rudolf Burger and Nilda Fernandes and musical groups Suruah, Zebra and Jame will come to greet Moscow on the occasion of its 857-th anniversary. During the breaks between concerts the guests of the «village» will be able to visit the fair of French goods and outdoors cafes offering traditional French cuisine dishes. The question of selling French wines on the territory of festive events is now being considered. It is worth reminding that the decision on holding such a festival in Moscow was made a year ago on the initiative of the French party.
The Paris administration is interested in development of cultural ties between the two capitals. In the course of preparation for the Day of Moscow festival in France a series of radio and TV broadcasts about Russias capital, culture and modern variety came out.
Rosbalt News Agency cafe

August 26th, 2004
Unusual cruise Berlin-St. Petersburg
Beginning from September a tourist train of higher comfort will start running between Berlin and St. Petersburg. Every compartment is equipped with shower and toilets and designed for only two passengers.
German Wave

August 25th, 2004
Authorities of Bashkiria marks «resort boom» in the republic
Health resorts previously packed by not more than 50 to 60 percent of their capacity this season operate at their full-load. Construction and re-equipment of such sanatoria as Yangantau, Krasnousolsk, Assy, Zelenaya Roshcha (Green Grove), Yaktykul and Yumatovo are going on. A goal programme on development of health resort assistance to children in the republic for the years 2004 to 2010 has been approved. Construction of new mountain-skiing centers at Ural foothills on the Belaya River is carried out.
Rossiiskaya Gazeta

August 24th, 2004
First hunters coming to Kirov Region
First tourists from abroad in this season are coming to the Kirov Region to hunt for bears. Two travellers from Spain are going to make hunting in the Kumensk District since it is there where more probable one can meet a bear. About 200 foreigners have already visited the Kirov Region last spring. The summer-autumn hunting period will close on October 15.
Regnum News Agency

August 11th, 2004
Another international tourist exhibition to appear in Moscow
While in other regions tourist exhibitions are growing short in number due to their consolidation and extension, in Moscow more and more such forums are held. This year another one has been announced the international exhibition “Aviation-and-Tourism Industry 2004-2005,” which is to take place at Crocus Expo exhibition centre on October 28 to 30. The organizer of the event is the RF Presidents Administrative Office under the support of the RF Transport Ministry and the Federal Agency for Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism. The main executor is the federal unitary enterprise “The Network of President-Class Hotels and Health Resorts of Russia” which is under the RF Presidents Administration Office. The Aviation-and-Tourism Industry 20042005 aims mainly at determination of mutual interests, expansion of business collaboration, and conclusion of agreements and contracts.
At conferences and round-table discussions the participants will be able to talk over the problems that the aviation and tourism currently face.
www.tpnews.ru

August 11th, 2004
Orbiting hotel may appear in space
A special hotel for space travellers may appear in future. The innovation project of a scientist from the Moscow Aviation Institute engaged in projection of the spaceship “Soyuz-House” and a commercial-travel orbiting station has recently won one of the prize places at “Flight to the Future” all-Russia contest of young scholars. A special manned spaceship and an orbiting station will, as the author thinks, bring the space tourism to a fundamentally new level. Thus, it is proposed that a spaceship should be constructed on the basis of the now existing “Soyuz” spacecraft making it more comfortable, roomy and safer. An orbiting station for space travellers will also be developed on the basis of the same spacecraft.
www.Avia.ru

August 10th, 2004
Arbat Street to change its look
The Moscow city authorities intend to make Arbat, the oldest street in the town, more respectable. In the near future specialists will start to work out an Arbat street accomplishment project. All the works are to be carried out with the regard for the historic look of the street. Considerable changes may only touch the constructions that were erected in the street in recent years.
Regions of Russia News Agency

August 10th, 2004
New type of buses for tourists to appear in Moscow
Tourists will feel more comfort while travelling round Moscow as soon as buses of new type will run along the capital streets. Now the buses are being tested at Vnukovo airport carrying passengers to plane ladders. The bus bearing the pertinent name of SkyBus has been purposely designed to carry travellers burdened with a lot of things. Such means of transport may be used in other airports of Moscow (first more likely in Domodedovo) and then they will probably start running along ordinary streets. Near the city sights where a lot of people and motorcars usually gather such a two-sided bus is parked easily, and there is no difficulty for passengers to get off.
Information centre of Moscow administration

August 10th, 2004
From Petersburg to Finland by catamaran
The hydrofoil vessel called Capitan Corsair will deliver passengers from St. Petersburg to the Finnish town of Kotka as soon as in 4.5 hours, about the same time as the journey from Moscow to St. Petersburg by express train takes. The voyage is cheaper than a railway trip from Petersburg to Finland. On their way the passenger will be served by stewards, meal included, there is a bar onboard. So far the voyage is mainly headed for the Finns as at first the catamaran will only carry travellers having personal visas.
www.RCN.ru

August 9th, 2004
Inbound tourism development programme worked out in Ekaterinburg
In Ekaterinburg the number of travel agencies focused on inbound tourism has increased three times. Thus, at the beginning of 2003 there were only 10 such agencies against about 30 nowadays. It is the city administrations opinion such a trend is evidence of the fact that attractiveness of Ekaterinburg as a tourism centre has risen. The local authorities have already worked out an inbound tourism development programme for the years immediately ahead.

August 6th, 2004
Foreigners eager to see Stalins Bunker
Samara city makes attempts to gain a status of a large tourist centre counting on its major sight, so called Stalins Bunker, the existence of which was kept in secret about 50 years. The construction that only few people knew about over half a century was uncovered in 1991. Today Stalins Bunker which is considered to be the deepest construction of the World War II times (37 m) enjoys wide popularity among foreign tourists. Stalins underground apartments are under the building of the Academy of Culture and Art where the Kuibyshev regional party committee was then.
Samara Review

August 5th, 2004
Eight hotels allowed to receive guests
In Tomsk a working group has examined 26 catering enterprises and 11 hotels which want to obtain accreditation for feeding and accommodation of official delegations to and guests of the city. Today only eight hotels Tomsk, Siberia-Forum, Congress-Ruby, Oktyabrskaya, Beer House “At Krugers,” Razgulyai Estate, Eden, and Guarantee satisfy the accreditation requirements.
Regions of Russia News Agency

July 12th, 2004
Vyacheslav Fetisov opened WTO session
Head of the Federal Agency for Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism Vyacheslav Fetisov has opened a regular session of the WTO Executive Council. The session is being held in the Indian city of Khaiderabad. This year Russian is in the chair. The participants intend to discuss a number of questions that are concerned with the development of tourism industry. In particular, a problem of coordination of efforts on assistance to developing countries in tourism will be considered.
Novosti, Russian News Agency

July 12th, 2004
Russian and Republic of Korea simplify visa regulation
In the immediate future the parties are going to prepare an agreement on simplifying visa regulations between the two countries. A visa question was a matter of discussion during the official visit of Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, to Sourth Korea.
www.Polit.ru

July 11th, 2004
Muscovites see another St. Petersburg
Moscow active tourism clubs offer their clients new routes round the northern capital. The tours are expected to be interesting for both those who are keen on speleology (study of artificial underground cavities) and lovers of non-standard journeys. The tours include visiting of Sablino, natural reserve where there are catacombs dug in sandstones. Besides, tourists will be offered to visit little known museums in St. Petersburg, particularly the Arctic and Antarctic Museum, the Brodsky artist museum-apartment, and the museum of musical instruments.
www.tpnews.ru 

July 10th, 2004
In South of Russia two new aquaparks opened this summer
The aquapark Limpopo in Stavropol has become one of the most up-to-date and technically equipped similar parks in the southern regions of Russia: there is a 70-metre “Black Water-Chute.” Up to one thousand visitors a day can be served in the park. On the territory of Nautilus aquapark in the Lazarevskoe district in Sochi there are four pools: for swimming, with chutes, childrens and the one equipped with extreme entertainment ride “Tsunami.” After the second stage of the park has come into operation, up to four thousand people a day will be able to spend their spare time their.
The Tourist Caucasus

July 9th, 2004
Merchants daughter became tourist brand of Kineshma
The local administration intends to turn Kineshma city in the Ivanovo Region into a well visited tourist centre. A special programme aiming at development of the tourism industry in which major emphasis is laid on river tourism is already being implemented in Kineshma. This year the city plans to receive 30 ships each carrying about 300 tourists. To attract more tourists the brand “Maria, merchants daughter looking for a suitor” has been devised, the programme “Theatrical Kineshma” has been worked out, and weekend tours with accommodation at village houses are arranged.
www.tpnews.ru

June 24th, 2004
Finally, tourism industry found its guidance
The Federal Agency for Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism made appointments concerning the tourism industry. A department for tourism attached to the Agency has been set up, and Vladimir Sibiryakov was appointed a head of the Department, and Yuri Putrik his deputy.

Alexander Sokolov, head of the Committee for Business in Tourism of the RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is appointed Vyacheslav Fetisovs first-hand deputy on tourism.
Thus, the head of the Agency actually has got as many as two deputies charged with tourism. It is already known that there will be 21 officials in the staff of the newly formed tourism body, half the staff of the tourism department under the “pre-reformed” government.
According to Vladimir Sibiryakov, now officials of the former tourism department “are preparing their resumes.” Later on the new head will pick out those of them who are fit for the job. It is interesting to note that no one from the former department gives any comment on newly made appointments, and what is more they say there is no information about it yet.
www.tpnews.ru

June 23rd, 2004
Three big first-class hotels to appear in centre of Moscow within next three years
In Tverskaya Street, on the place of the former Actor Gallery, a new five-star hotel will be built. The hotel complex of 14.3 thousand sq m total area will include a sales zone, office buildings and underground garage to accommodate up to 90 motor-cars.
Construction and furnishing of the new hotel are to be completed by spring 2007. Also by 2007 another first-class hotel will appear in the same street. It will be erected on the place of the former 22-storey Intourist Hotel pulled down last year.
The new 9-stirey hotel will be able to accommodate 350 guests at a time, and its construction will differ from all other present hotels; its major feature will be movable walls in restaurants and easily changeable lay-outs of the rooms.
Moreover, reconstruction of the Moskva Hotel is planned to be completely finished in the year 2006 which will result in about doubling of actual accommodation space and raising the hotel class up to five stars.
www.mosinform.ru

June 22nd, 2004
Hermitage abates prices for entrance tickets
Considering on the appeal from the Inbound Tourism Committee the Hermitage national museum has taken the proposal made by travel agencies of the city and began in this season to conduct the contract-concluding campaign which is to last from June 1 to August 1.
The Hermitage agreed to reduce prices for excursion services for groups of school students up to January 11 and to give a reduction to travel agencies as much as one euro for every foreign tourist.
www.ABNews.ru

June 21st, 2004
Underground transport tunnel may connect Kuban and Crimea
Presentation of the KerchKuban underground transport tunnel project designed by Ukrainian engineers has taken place in Yalta city. Three parallel tunnels, the middle of which will be for service purposes, are planned to be laid under the Kerchensky Strait.
The length of the tunnel will be 15 km. The cost of the project is more than $780 million, and it will take about three and a half years to construct the tunnel. It was as early as in the late 1990s that Yuri Luzhkov proposed that a bridge across the Kerchensky Strait should be raised.
A motor road and a railway were expected to be built through the bridge. Also pipelines to transfer additional energy carriers from Russia to the Crimea part of which could be exported to third countries. Today, trains running between the Crimea and Taman are, as before, are ferried across the channel.
Yet, the idea of laying a transport line to the Crimea has still been discussed in Russia. Today Tuzla Spit is planned to be used for the purpose. According to Alexander Tkachyov, governor of the Krasnodar Territory, this dam will facilitate the construction of a bridge between the Crymski and Tamanski Peninsulas.
RzHD-Partner

June 17th, 2004
Direct car in EkaterinburgBerlin train
On June 16 a direct car started running on the EkaterinburgBerlin route. The car has been launched in the context of implementation of the international transport line to be laid according to the agreement reached in the course of the meeting of President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroder held in Ekaterinburg in October, 2003.
The new car will run once a week in the period from June 16 to December 8, 2004.
The second-class car has three-seat compartments and was specially delivered to Ekaterinburg from Moscow. During its run the car will make stops in Perm, Kirov, Nizhni Novgorod, Vladimir, Smolensk, Minsk, Brest, and Warsaw.
RRW-Partner

June 16th, 2004
New tourist centers to appear in Olkhonsk District this summer season
Five new tourist centers will appear in the Olkhonsk District. It is worth reminding that today 22 tourists centers operate officially in the municipal structure. But there are much more companies that render various services to tourists. According to the local administration, more than 130 travel-business entities have been registered in the Olkhonsk District.
News from SBAT

May 27th, 2004
A fashionable business centre to appear in Moscow
The modern centre Profico will be constructed on Krylatskaya and Krylatskie Holmy (hills) streets cross. The 26-storey building has been designed as a fashionable office block equipped with a helicopter landing ground on the top. On the first floor there will be a cafй, restaurant, bank division, and a conference room. In the subsurface part of the building a many-storey garage is provided for.
www.ytro.ru

May 26th, 2004
Special prices for flights from Moscow
Lufthansa airline jointly with its Star Alliance partner Austrian airline Austrian offers special prices for air tickets to passengers flying from Moscow. From 20 May to 15 June one can buy economic-class tickets to London for US$269; to Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Paris, Bordeaux, Lion, Marcel, Nice, Toulouse, Pisa, Bologna, Genoa, Rome, Naples, Milan, Turin, Venice, Verona, Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bremen, Cologne, Dьsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hanover, Hamburg, Nuremberg, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxemburg, Geneva, Zurich, and Basel for US$299; to Malaga, Istanbul, Florence, Lisbon, and Porto for US$329.
For business-class passengers tickets to Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Damask, and Teheran will cost US$1,800, to Dubai - US$1,900, to Washington - US$2,338, to Boston - 2,465, to New-York - 2,508, to Philadelphia - US$2,635, to Miami - US$2,678, to Chicago - US$2,810, to Johannesburg, Capetown, and Lagos - US$2,816, to Rio de Janeiro - US$2,822, to Deli - US$2,974, to Peking, Guangzhou, Hon Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, and Shanghai - US$3,000, to San Paulo - US$3,143, to San Francisco, Los Angeles - US$3,414, to Mexico - US$3,421. The prices hold true for flights made by Lufthansa from 1 July till 31 August.
www.tpnews.ru

May 25th, 2004
Nevski Express to run again this summer
At the beginning of June the fast train between Moscow and St. Petersburg, Nevski Express, will resume running. The train will run three times a week. Every compartment is equipped with television and soft couches with mobile head- and elbow-rests. There is a special compartment for wheelchair-bounded invalids. The express runs at a speed of 200 km/h. The way takes about 4 hours 50 minutes.
RRW-Partner

May 24th, 2004
Map of Russia to be handed over to every foreign tourist
Information booklet for foreign tourists coming to Russia has been published in Murmansk city. The edition contains essential reference information about the rules of entering in Russia, customs requirements, state system, and about Russian border service. The booklet will give initial knowledge of history and culture of Russia, climate, and Russian traditions to foreign travellers. Together with the booklet every guests will be given a map of the Russian Federation in which geographical zones of the country, major cities, historical monuments and places of interest are designated.
Novosti news agency

May 24th, 2004
Welcome to Russian Kolyma!
The Magadan Region offers a wide choice of active, adventure, and environment tours: sports fishing, dive tours which allow tourists to fish from a motor boat, to see bird colonies on the seashore, rookeries of sea animals, amenities of coastal cliffs. For shooting lovers hunting for the brown bear, argali, lynx is made up. Travellers coming to visit the region can take part in vivid and picturesque national festivals held by small northern peoples or to become a real “Robinson” having been transferred by a helicopter to back lands of Kolyma. In winter tourists are offered to stay at a hunting lodge on the lakeside of holy dead Mak Lake or to take an extreme tour on snow-mobiles round a wild snow-covered wood. There are about 200 historical and cultural sights in the Kolyma Region. At present, residents of Scandinavia, Alaska, Japan, Korea, and China visit Kamchatka best of all.
www.tpnews.ru

May 17th, 2004
MITF 2004 exhibition held in Moscow
On 13 to 16 May the 4-th Moscow International Tourism Fair MITF-Tourism & Leisure took place at the exhibition centre Gostiny Dvor. Over 600 tourism companies from 30 countries including Russia took part in the event. 71 regions (administrative subjects) of the Russian Federation represented their resorts and health centres. Siberia stand that united eleven Siberian regions was established at the MITF for the first time. The 4-th Moscow Tourism Show “The Four Whales” as implementation of the Moscow administration programme for support of small business was arranged in the framework of the fair. Travel agencies that realize mass-demanded tour packages were participants of the show.
The MITF business programme included an international conference “Tourism with no boundaries,” and the final stage of the all-Russia national folklore festival Miss Tourism of the Globe Russia-2004 in which winners of regional beauty contests Miss Tourism from 28 regions of Russia took part was the hit of the MITF cultural programme.
www.tpnews.ru

May 14th, 2004
The most part of tourists in Moscow from Germany
By the end of the year the Moscow authorities will have completed the mounting of information stands with inscriptions in seven languages beside the major sights of the capital. First of all the stands will be placed near historic buildings and structures on the territory of the Kremlin as well as in the area adjacent to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Today, three thousand of light signs bearing Latin transcriptions of Russian names of the streets and metro stations as well as over 500 light maps of the central part of the city have already been installed in Moscow. According to the Moscow Tourism Committee, last year the most number of foreign visitors in Moscow were from Germany, 208 thousand, from the USA 146 thousand, and on the third place are the French 98 thousand people.
www.strana.ru

May 13th, 2004
Over 100 thousand Russians applied for British visas in 2003
The number of applications filed for visas to the consular department of the British embassy in Moscow was 82,623, to general consulate in Ekaterinburg 4,663, and in St. Petersburg 13,962. For four months of this year 28,094 people applied for British visas in Moscow, 1,992 in Ekaterinburg, and 5,344 in St. Petersburg. The total number of those who wish to obtain a visa to the United Kingdom during the period from January to April has come to over 35 thousand people. The number of visas that has been actually issued is more than 90% of the total number of applications.
Novosti

May 12th, 2004
British Airways started to fly to Ekaterinburg
On 11 May British Airways carried out its first flight from Ekaterinburg to London. The flights of five and a half hours long will be carried out on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the Siberian capital. The return flights are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. In connection with the opening new route British Airways is conducting an action: special tariff of $350 on the EkaterinburgLondonEkaterinburg route will be in force till 30 May.
www.tpnews.ru

May 10th, 2004
Passengers of Lufthansa can gain premium miles
Lufthansa airline is conducting a special action in favour of its clients participants of Miles & More programme aimed at giving an incentive to the passengers frequently flying by the airline. Lufthansa will present two thousand premium miles to everyone who will be registered as a Miles & More participant until 30 September and collect first three thousand miles on the airline flights and use services of airlines-partners (flights, staying at hotels and hiring cars) until 30 November. Lufthansa offers doubled quantity of premium miles to the programme participants for the flights along the newly introduced summer-scheduled routes: FrankfurtKuala Lumpur, MunichCharlott, MunichPeking, MunichTeheran, and MunichGuanghzhou. Also, until 30 June passengers can make doubled quantity of miles on flights from Munich to Dubai and Tokyo.
www.tpnews.ru

May 10th, 2004
Yakutia opened its travel information centre in Moscow
The Yakutia travel information centre (TIC) has been opened at the Republic Sakha permanent representation in Moscow. The centre intends to act under the motto “Yakutia a rising tourism star” and to offer “diamond” and “golden” itineraries, and cruises up and down the Lena River, environmental tours and extreme journeys. In the near future divisions of the TIC Yakutia are to be opened in Khabarovsk and St. Petersburg which will allow the republic to increase the number of inbound tourists. The republican administration hopes that in a few years the local travel companies will receive up to eight thousand people a year.
Vostok-Media

May 6th, 2004
Foreigners pay for cleaning railway station
Entrance to the railway station in Vladivostok has been maid paid for foreigners. Now a 10-people group of travellers from abroad is to pay 314 roubles for entering the station. According to the head of the Vladivostok direction for servicing passengers Anatoly Senchenko, the decision to make the entrance to the station building paid was caused by the necessity to tidy up the waiting room of the station every day.
Regions of Russia news agency

May 3rd, 2004
In Sochi one can inquire everything about beer
On 19 to 24 May 15, 2004 at the exhibition centre of the hotel complex Zhemchuzhina (Pearl) in Sochi the 13-th International Exhibition-Fair “Beer” will be held. The 13-th international contest of beer, soft drinks, raw materials and equipment with presenting diplomas and medals will take place in the context of the Fair. The major sections of the exhibition: beer, raw staffs and equipment for brewing, mini-breweries, soft drinks, packaging and labels.
www.Yuga.ru

April 30th, 2004
A mountain hiking trail to be restored in Kuban
The foot-route from Goryachi Klyuch (Hot Spring) to Tuapse in the Krasnodar Territory is to be renewed. During five days tourists will be able to hike in mountains of Kuban and then they will spend a week in one of the sea-side hotels. One of the first who will test the route will be the personnel of travel agencies of the Tuapse District in the Krasnodar Territory.
www.Yuga.ru

April 30th, 2004
Booklets for foreign tourists prepared in Vladivostok
The booklets will acquaint foreign guests with the local places of interest and history of the city. Today the first lot of booklets in Russian-English and Russian-Japanese (since the Japanese show their particular interest in the main city of the Primorie area) versions is under elaboration. Besides, a special mobile stand, which Vladivostok is going to display at various tourism-related exhibitions, have been worked out.
www.Data.ru

April 29th, 2004
A shipping company opened a hotel of its own
Estonian shipping company Tallink has opened the Best Western Hotel Tallink in Tallinn which on 10 May received the first guests. The 10-storey hotel has about 350 rooms. By the number of beds the hotel became the second one in the capital following the Viry Hotel. On the zero level of the hotel building there is night club Cellar with accommodation capacity of 220 people at a time and a casino. On the first flour there are two restaurants and a bean-dish bar.
Rosbalt news agency

April 23rd, 2004
Is it necessary to research tourist possibilities of St. Petersburg?
Companies that will fight for the right to study tourist potential of the northern capital and work out strategy of promoting the city abroad have been named in St. Petersburg. International consulting organizations such as - Boston Consulting Group, Roland Berger, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and PKF take part in the contest. It is worth reminding that the winner will be rewarded with US$500,000 from the federal budget. Yet tour-operators of St. Petersburg remark that no consultants are needed to name the two most vital problems preventing from development of tourism in the city; they are hotels and transport. 
Regnum news agency

April 22nd, 2004
VisitBritain invests in Russian tour market
The number of Russian tourists that visited Great Britain last year has increased by 16% in comparison with the figure in the year before. Besides, there are ample evidence that in the year 2004 this index will grow further, as Tom Right, executive director of VisitBritain, said. According to him, VisitBritain intends in future to go on investing in Russian market to stimulate the growth of tourist flow from Russia to Great Britain. 
Infocity 

April 20th, 2004
The Silver Ring to enter into the list of strategic programmes of Russia
The tourist route Silver Ring is to be completely worked out by 1st June. It concludes three cultural belts: first St. Petersburg suburbia, second sights of the Leningrad Region, and the third objects of note in the north-western region. Besides Old Ladoga the project will, to all appearance, include Gatchina and Ropsha. Moreover, the Silver Ring route will embrace all the monasteries and old-time fortresses on the territory of the Leningrad Region which are not far from St. Petersburg. About US$15 billion is supposed to be invested in realization of the project in the course of 15 years. About 80 cultural objects are planned to be erected in Pushkin town, the total cost of them is US$1.5 billion. The amount of investments in Petrodvorets and its outskirts will be US$2.5 billion, and investments in the centre of St. Petersburg will come to US$12 billion.
At present, the project has undergone an examination by experts in the UNESCO, and next year it will be included in the list of this funds programs. Travellers are supposed to be offered a unique tourist product a Russian-style wedding, fishing, and a young-soldier course. The Silver Ring will also enter into the list of strategic programmes of Russia and become a socially meaningful objective as it will create about two million places of work. 
ABN 

April 16th, 2004
Rossia Hotel to rebirth in classical architecture style
The new building of the hotel will be constructed in classical architecture style to harmonize with the Moscow Kremlin ensemble, Alexander Kuzmin, chief architect of the capital, said. "This is not the place to make architectural experiments" he underlined. Besides, A. Kuzmin did not exclude that in place of one building several low-storied buildings may appear on the spot, a block of buildings united by the same architectural idea. Reconstruction of the hotel complex will not start before the year 2005. 
The Izvestia newspaper 

April 13th, 2004
To spend honey-moon in a cave is offered in the Arkhangelsk Region
At the World of Travels tourist exhibition held in Arkhangelsk about 30 travel agencies represented their itineraries. The routes offered by the Pinezhsky District, which focuses on environmental tourism, generated the keenest interest. Except for traditional caves and fishing it represented a new tour to Father Frosts summer residence. A special room where the Father Frost "sleeps" during the summer-time has been fixed up in one of the karst caverns of Golubinsky Hole. To all appearance the tour Father Frosts Summer Dreams will awake childrens interest. Another tour, Caves for Lovers, is aimed at young loving couples spending their honey-moons. They are offered such an extreme entertainment as overnight staying in a cave. At this, a newly wedded couple is given a packed lunch, first-aid set, and a telephone to call the tourist camp and to make an order from a restaurant or to ask for some help. 
Russian North news agency

April 13th, 2004
In Ekaterinburg taxi-drivers learn English
The programme aimed at development of inbound tourism will be worked out in Ekaterinburg within a month. The task was posed by Arkady Chernetsky, head of the city, at the meeting dedicated to development of inbound tourism. Recently the number of tourist routes in Ekaterinburg has increased two to three times and the required tourist infrastructure is being shaped. Guests of the Ural capital get necessary information in English as early as they fly up to the city or when they arrive to the airport. Several tens of taxi-drivers in Ekaterinburg has been purposely taught English, and in 30 public catering establishments menus in English appeared. It is worth reminding that a little bit more than 10 years ago Ekaterinburg was a closed city where were no experience and no appropriate infrastructure for receiving foreign guests. Now in the city a special coordinating board has been established which unites tour-operators, guides, lecturers of institutes of higher education, transport workers, employees of the hotel network and public catering sphere. For the last four years the number of foreigners that visited Ekaterinburg has increased by a factor of ten.
API news agency

April 12th, 2004
Kuzminki estate prepares for celebration of the 300-th anniversary
On the territory of the estate there are four museums, ecology-enlightening centre, demo bee-garden with a tasting room, horse sports centre, show jumping field, and two parks of culture and rest (Kuzminki and Lublino.) The complex can receive over 5 thousand ramblers and up to 15 tour groups daily. Holding the 2-nd city flour-garden festival has been set up for 10-th July. 
Information centre of the Moscow administration


April 9th, 2004
Days of historical and cultural heritage to be held in Moscow on 18-th April and 18-th May 
In these two days residents of the capital will have a chance to visit museums without paying for entrance tickets. All most popular museums and exhibition halls are supposed to be opened free. Also organized groups will be able to visit the Moscow administration house on Tverskaya Street. The house is of great value as one the historical and architectural monuments in Moscow. Besides, the Moscow administration is considering the possibility to allow school-children groups going to visit museums on 18-th April and 18-th May to use the public transport free of fare.
www.NEWSru.com

April 8th, 2004
Wireless access to Internet is opened in Pulkovo airport
Zones marked with "Wi-Fi Zone" logotype will soon appear in the VIP-hall and in the hall for official delegations in Pulkovo-1 as well as in business-rooms of the airport building of Pulkovo-2. Other premises of the airport, from waiting rooms to passenger arriving halls, cafes, bars and restaurants are supposed to be covered with wireless access to the Internet in the nearest future. 
www.tpnews.ru 

April 8th, 2004
Numeration of passenger trains on the territory of Russia and CIS countries changes from 30-th of May
Because of increasing the speed of running trains slowly pass from passenger category to the category of fast trains where the numbers are limited in their quantity. Beginning from 30-th of May fast passenger trains of round-year schedule that earlier bore numbers from 1 to 100 will be given numbers from 1 to 148. Season-running fast passenger trains will be given numbers from 201 to 298 (earlier from 101 to 150.) Besides, a specific numeration has been introduced for fast trains from 151 to 169. 
RRW-Partner


April 7th, 2004
Foreigners will be given a drive in tank
Preparation for the first military tour for foreign travelers to be held on the territory of the exhibition area of the Institute of Metal Tests, where the forthcoming international exhibition of weapons is to be held, is being completed in Nizhni Tagil. The military tour will be held in the context of a visit of a group of journalists to the Sverdlovsk Region. Representatives from 24 editorials will visit the testing ground where a show of defense technologies will be arranged for them. The military tour programme includes pistol and submachine gun firing. Probably,the foreigners will be given a drive in tank and a flight in helicopter. 
Regions of Russia news agency

April 7th, 2004
President of Russia discussed tourism development problems with A. Tkachyov 
During his visit to the South Federal District Vladimir Putin met with Vladimir Yakovlev, president's plenipotentiary in the region, and invited him "to take part in working out governmental instruments to support the resort business." Also, the President had a talk with Alexander Tkachyov, governor of the Krasnodar Region. They spoke about the ways to further tourism in the region. Resorts of the region, the governor believes, will soon be able to compete with Turkey, Egypt, and even the most well-being European countries
NIG Agency


April 5th, 2004
RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs doesnt issue invitations any longer 
So far the Ministry gave out invitations on applications of all juridical persons and organizations for entering the country. Now the RF Internal Ministry will do this. The MFA will issue invitations only on applications of federal governmental bodies, diplomatic missions and consular offices of foreign countries, international organizations and their representatives in Russia. At this, if a foreigner is going to Russia to study, he/she is exempted from invitation duties. However, the inviting side, as it was before, is to produce the assurance that the foreigner will be provided with maintenance, accommodation, and medical care for the time of his/her staying in Russia. Invitations will be issued within 30 days of the applying date.
The Moscow Komsomolets newspaper 

April 1st, 2004
Trans-Asia expedition aims at popularization of extreme tourism
The school of extreme-adventure tourism arranges trans-Asia international expedition-marathon in August-October, 2004, around the Central Asia. The expedition supported by the Moscow Tourism Committee is dedicated to the 80-th anniversary of the trans- Himalaya expedition of N. Rerikh, outstanding Russian traveler and thinker, and to the 100-th anniversary of foundation of the Russian Motor-Car Society and the International Motor-Car Federation. One of the major purposes of the expedition is popularization of motoring extreme-adventure tourism in Russia. 
www.Kolesa.ru 


March 31st, 2004
The Rossia Hotel wont be pulled down
Pulling down of the Rossia Hotel is postponed until the Moskva Hotel has been restored. Yuri Luzhkov, mayor of Moscow, has fount it "improper from political point of view to lose the two hotels, Rossia and Moskva, at the same time." 
The Information Centre of Moscow


March 30th, 2004
SN Brussels Airlines started on flights to Moscow
National carrier of Belgium, SN Brussels Airlines, launched on regular flights to Domodedovo airport. The first flight from Brussels to Moscow was carried out on March 28. 
www.tpnews.ru 


March 29th, 2004
A tunnel between Adler and Krasnaya Polyana to be opened next year
Today it is the most important construction site in Sochi city. It is expected that upon opening the tunnel an influx of people to the Sochi resort area will increase several times. The present main road to Krasnaya Polyana is a three-kilometre mountain serpentine. Frequent stonefalls here make it really dangerous. The tunnel that is under construction now will make the way half a kilometer shorter, it is much wider and less dangerous than the old road. The construction started five years ago and, according to the plan, it will be completed next year. 
www.Yuga.ru 

March 29th, 2004
"Miss Tourism 2004" beauty contest to be held in Prinorie on May 7
The most charming and professionally trained female personnel working in the travel business of the Territory can be participants of the event. The winner will represent the Primorie Territory at the all-Russia festival "Miss Tourism" which, in its turn, has been included into the world calendar of the "Miss Tourism of the Global" contests. 
Regnum news agency

March 23rd, 2004
Russia to be ranked second in the world in investments in tourism
The World Tourism & Traveling Council has published a world tour industry development forecast for the next decade. According to the forecast made by experts, Russias tour market will develop rapidly. In 2005 to 2014 Russia will take second place in the world in the amount of investments in tour industry. As soon as in 2004 the number of incoming travelers will double. The council recognizes that Russia still faces a lot of problems concerning the tourist infrastructure, though the country comes seventh in growth of employment in the tourism industry, and the expected 10 percent of increase in Russian tour market in 2004 look as a record against the background of the world market figures. In addition, in the forthcoming decade extremity, unique beauty and originality of destinations, which are distinctive features of Russia, are expected to be the most attractive factors for travelers in choosing places to make holidays. Besides, Montenegro, India, China, Vietnam, Angola, Laos, Chad, Guadeloupe, and Uganda will be undoubted leaders in the world tourism growth in the next 10 years. 
RTR News Agency

March 22nd, 2004
"Tourist Resources of Russia" dispersed eagerly
The Russian promotional-information printed materials were in great demand at ITB-2004 exhibition in Berlin. Various booklets and editions were abundantly presented and distributed among visitors at the Moscow booth. The German-language folder "Tourist Resources of Russia" published by Informbank Agency generated considerable public rush. Over 3.5 thousand copies were served out in the course of the exhibition.
www.tpnews.ru 

March 22nd, 2004
Miss Tourism contest to be held in May
On May 13 to 17 the Moscow Tourism Committee holds the largest in Russia 4-th international tourist fair "Tourism and Leisure MITF" in the Gostiny Dvor exhibition centre. Its for the first time that the final round of the all-Russia national contest Miss Tourism of the Globe Russia-2004 will be held in the context of the cultural programme of the fair. Ambassadress from all regions of Russia will take part in the contest. Finalists will fight for the title of Miss Tourism of the Globe, and later on they will represent Moscow and the MITF tourist fair at international contests. 
www.tpnews.ru

March 23rd, 2004
Russia to be ranked second in the world in investments in tourism
The World Tourism & Traveling Council has published a world tour industry development forecast for the next decade. According to the forecast made by experts, Russias tour market will develop rapidly. In 2005 to 2014 Russia will take second place in the world in the amount of investments in tour industry. As soon as in 2004 the number of incoming travelers will double. The council recognizes that Russia still faces a lot of problems concerning the tourist infrastructure, though the country comes seventh in growth of employment in the tourism industry, and the expected 10 percent of increase in Russian tour market in 2004 look as a record against the background of the world market figures. In addition, in the forthcoming decade extremity, unique beauty and originality of destinations, which are distinctive features of Russia, are expected to be the most attractive factors for travelers in choosing places to make holidays. Besides, Montenegro, India, China, Vietnam, Angola, Laos, Chad, Guadeloupe, and Uganda will be undoubted leaders in the world tourism growth in the next 10 years. 
RTR News Agency

March 22nd, 2004
Tourist Resources of Russia dispersed eagerly
The Russian promotional-information printed materials were in great demand at ITB-2004 exhibition in Berlin. Various booklets and editions were abundantly presented and distributed among visitors at the Moscow booth. The German-language folder "Tourist Resources of Russia" published by Informbank Agency generated considerable public rush. Over 3.5 thousand copies were served out in the course of the exhibition.
www.tpnews.ru 

March 22nd, 2004
Miss Tourism contest to be held in May
On May 13 to 17 the Moscow Tourism Committee holds the largest in Russia 4-th international tourist fair "Tourism and Leisure MITF" in the Gostiny Dvor exhibition centre. Its for the first time that the final round of the all-Russia national contest Miss Tourism of the Globe Russia-2004 will be held in the context of the cultural programme of the fair. Ambassadress from all regions of Russia will take part in the contest. Finalists will fight for the title of Miss Tourism of the Globe, and later on they will represent Moscow and the MITF tourist fair at international contests. 
www.tpnews.ru

March 17th, 2004
In Russia tourism merged with sport and physical culture and attached to the Health Ministry
By his decree "On system and structure of the federal executive power" President V. Putin has created five new ministries, 18 federal services, 20 federal agencies, and one federal treasure, and some ministries and departments have been abolished. Specifically, now tourism in Russia will be under the Federal Agency for Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism. This function is taken away from the RF Ministry for Economic Development and Trade. In its turn, the Agency is under the newly founded Ministry for Public Health and Social Development. The Ministry will be headed by Mikhail Zurabov, the former head of the Pension Fund Administration. The name of the head of the Federal Agency will become known in the near future, but to all appearance Vyacheslav Fetisov, head of the eliminated State Sports Committee, will take the post. 
The RF Ministry for Economic Development and Trade which, before the restructuring, was responsible for tourism will comprise three services customs, antimonopoly and national statistics. As before, German Gref will head it. 
www.tpnews.ru 

March 17th, 2004
In Russia "considerable culture" and "beautiful women" attract Americans
At the joint conference held in New-York on March 5 leading American and Russian tour operators discussed the ways to increase the tourist flow from the USA to Russia. So far only two percent of Americans have ever been to the Russian Federation, mainly aged people. According to the RF Consulate General in New-York, the number of American travellers that visited Russia in 2003 did not exceed 100 thousand people. During the year 2004 presentations of Russias resources in receiving of tourists from overseas will take place in Washington, Seattle, Huston, and San-Francisco. The increasing popularity of tours to Kamchatka, Altai and Kola Peninsula, Povolzhiye and Karelia, as well as exotic itineraries to the North Pole, Yakutia, Tuva, Khakasia, and to the near-polar Ural among foreigners was pointed to at the forum. 
Regnum news agency

March 16th, 2004
The TV-tower in Ostankino is planned to be opened for visitors this autumn
Observation area at the Ostankino TV tower recently restored after fire is possibly be opened in autumn 2004. Yuri Berbikov, director of the federal unitary enterprise "Russias Broadcast Network" says that today new express elevators are being installed in the tower. Besides, business partners are looked for to launch the Seventh Sky restaurant there. Before the TV tower is opened for visitors it will be equipped with life-saving facilities. 
Novosti news agency 

March 15th, 2004
Chooms installed on streets of Khanty-Mansiysk 
According to preliminary data, about 1,300 tourists are going to come to Khanty-Mansiysk during the Spirit of Fire international film festival, IBU Grand-Prix 2004 biathlon competition, and Russian ski championship. New itineraries and tour programs are being prepared for them. Except for museums and sights the guests will be offered active recreation on cross-country and mountain skiing tracks. Ethnographic chooms (round tents of skins or felt stretched over a lattice framework used by nomadic tribes in Siberia for living) where one can taste national cuisine dishes have been set up in the city. Especially for the film festival the Samarovsky Chugas national park has worked out a number of tour itineraries, excursion tours round the city and the forest, environment-protection quizzes, picnics, and tea-drinking parties at the campfire are among them. The Samarovsky Yam programme is expected to draw tourists attention: on the territory of the memorable sign dedicated to pioneers of the Yugorsk
land elements of the coachmens settlement which, in the first half of the 18-th century, was just on the place where there is Khanty-Mansiysk city now have been renewed. Visitors will be offered a historical tour, hot tea in choom, and horse-back riding. 
www.tpnews.ru

March 12th, 2004
The USA to discover Russia anew
The first, after the USSR collapsed, joint conference of the leading American and Russian tour operators will take place in New-York. At the forum "Discover Russia" the ways to increase flows of travelers from the USA to Russia will be discussed. According to data of the Russian Federation Consulate General in New-York, the number of American tourists that visited Russia in 2003 did not exceed 100 thousand people. In this respect the USA yields not only to Western European countries, but to Poland, China and Baltic countries. Now, Russian tour operators are eager to attract American travel companies attention not only to Moscow and the Golden Ring, but also to routes through Russian northern cities and the cities that are on the Trans-Siberian main line. About 200 American travel agencies are expected to take part in the New-York conference. 
www.novosti.ru 

March 10th, 2004
Capital of Russia took part in international conference in London
Grigory Antyufeyev, head of the Moscow Tourism Committee, and heads of tourist administrative bodies of such world capitals as Berlin, Deli, Dublin, New-York, Paris, and Shanghai being invited by Ken Livingston, mayor of London, have, for the first time, taken part in the international conference on tourism in the world largest cities. Presentation of Moscow as a world tourist centre took place on the first day of the conference. Besides, the Moscow Committee showed to the Forum the Big Pancake Day holiday as it is traditionally celebrated in Russia, the MITF tourist fair, and the Moscow tourism information centre. Participants of the conference showed their interest in unification of tourism information centres of the world capitals into the unite information space.
www.tpnews.ru 


March 9th, 2004
Now one can have a birds-eye view of Moscow from a helicopter
A new offering has been introduced by the capital tourism market a helicopter tour over Moscow. The tour route lies within the Moscow Ring Road, yet, at tourists request, the pilot can fly over the neighbouring towns, such as Sergiev Posad or Suzdal. Tourists are carried on Mi-8P helickpter with large square windows. The number of people taken by helicopter is 20. At full load the ticket costs not more than US$117. The price includes return transfer to/from the airport (Bykovo or Astafievo), the flight for about 85 minutes, and soft drinks. The flight is carried out at an altitude of 150 m. Tourists are accompanied with an experienced guide. 
www.tourist.ru

March 9th, 2004
Only 10 percent of foreigners come to Moscow by tourist visas
According to the RF Federal Border Service, the number of foreign citizens that entered the Russian Federation through airports of the Moscow air zone in 2003 was 2,448,181 people, 10 percent more than it was in 2002. According to the Moscow administrations information, only 10 percent of foreign travelers visited Moscow by tourist visas. At that, tour operators managed to fill up not more than 15 percent of the whole capitals hotel capacity. 
www.tpnews.ru 

March 9th, 2004
Pulkovo summer-season schedule to be far extended
The number of flights from Moscow to Berlin, Hamburg and Dьsseldorf carried out by Pulkovo airport will be increased in 2004 from two to three a week. By this summer the air company will connect St. Petersburg and Peking by four flights a week of which at least two will be carried out on Il-86 planes. And in May Pulkovo will launch a new air route, St. PetersburgShanghai. More charter hauls, up 20 percent, are expected on routes to France and Germany. In late June Pulkovo will start to carry out regular flights to London. The number of flights between St. Petersburg and cities of the CIS will also be increased: to/from Kiev up to four flights a week and to/from Bishkek and Dushanbe up to two a week. In the forthcoming season regular flights to five cities of Kazakhstan will be launched to Astana, Almaty, Karaganda, Kustanai, and Ust-Kamenogorsk. 
www.tpnews.ru 

March 9th, 2004
Genoa-Yekaterinburg flight to be launched
The Italian side is interested in launching of GenoaYekaterinburg charter flights. Representatives of administration of this Italian city say that opening of the flight will assist in development of tourism as well as in cooperation in culture and economy between the two regions. Issues concerning the organization of the air communication are to be discussed at meetings of Italian officials with representatives of Yekaterinburg authorities and business circles. 
Regions of Russia news agency

March 4th, 2004
A hotel in Nizhni Novgorod welcomes people with limited abilities
Administration of the Tsentralny Hotel in Nizhni Novgorod has taken a decision to adapt the hotel building for people with limited abilities. First of all, to make the entrance fit to such people and then to furnish some rooms with auxiliary hand-rails. In the course of the reconstruction the hotel will also be equipped with special signs for those eyeless. 
Voyazh news agency

March 3rd, 2004
Yar presents its golden collection this year
This spring a gallery of groceries and provisions will be opened in bays of the colonnade which connects the Sovetsky Hotel with Yar restaurant. According to Western consultants advices, it will be designed in the image and likeness of the gallery that the Plaza Athenee Hotel in Paris has. One of the cozy corners will be turned into a brasserie, the other one into an open kitchen restaurant. Besides, a basin with living fish and lobsters will be made in the Green Bar. 
www.tpnews.ru 

March 2nd, 2004
The future of tourism in Chukotka is individual tours 
More than two thousand travelers from 22 countries have visited Chukotka since the beginning of the year 2001. Only for the last navigation six cruise ships that delivered more than 500 passengers into the district entered Chukotkas ports. Travelers visit the district centre and eastern regions. Eighty percent of the travelers come to the district with cognitive purposes and only 17 percent is business tourism. More than others Chukotka attracts Americans who make up 62 percent of the total number of incoming tourists. Russian tourists (11 percent of the total number) have the same reasons to visit Chukotka. The English is quite another matter. They are interested in the Utmost North as in itself, as a unique and exotic region. The authorities of Chukotka believe that the most promising for the development of tourism in the area is individual tours which include shooting, fishing, extreme sport, hikes and trips. 
Regnum news agency

March 1st, 2004
Floating hotels may appear on the Baikal
A new project of a complex including four floating hotels, a ship and a towboat was presented at the interregional scientific and practical conference "Development of tourism in the Baikal region" held in Irkutsk. According to the authors of the project, the pay-back period for one hotel is from 2.5 to 3 years. In the first stage two hotels are planned to be built, but if some interested investors are turned up, the whole complex of four hotels can be constructed. In that case the pay-out period will be two to three years longer. 
Regnum news agency

February 26th, 2004
Domodedovo airport guaranties 100-percent security
International airport Domodedovo is carrying through technical re-equipment of air-safety services. Installment of up-to-date metal detectors Metor-200 has been getting under way. The new devices allow custom officials to determine the exact location of metal things hidden on a passengers body. In this respect, Domodedovo is a base safety pattern which can be replicated throughout the territory of the Russian Federation, and the airport itself can be used as a training centre. 
www.tpnews.ru 

February 26th, 2004
President of Russian Olympic Committee approved construction
of mountain-skiing resort in Bashkiria
Construction of a European-standard mountain-skiing resort has started in the Beloretsk district of Bashkiria. Numerous tracks will be laid down along slopes of Maly Yamantau hill, in the outskirts of Inzer settlement. According to the local administrative officials, "Maly Yamantau hill has proved the only one in Russia that corresponds to European standards." The new mountain-skiing resort is planned to occupy about two hectares of the South-Ural national reserve area. The future mountain-skiing track will be as long as about six kilometers. 
www.regnum.ru 

February 25th, 2004
Akkor reached Ekaterinburg
A four-star hotel of French hotel network Akkor will appear in the centre of Ekaterinburg. According to Paolo Dubrule, the networks co-owner, the city development rates allow them to suppose that in the nearest future it will become a centre of both business and entertainment tourism. The Akkor network numbers about four thousand hotels in 140 countries of the world. Ekaterinburg is to be the second city in Russia where Akkor to come; one hotel has already been built in Moscow. 
http://www.tass.ru  


February 24th, 2005
Cable-way to be constructed in Helengik by the coming resort season
The Helengik city administration considers the cable-way a primary facility of that has exceptional importance for the whole resort area. The city authorities are working with investors to put the facility into operation by this resort season. The cable equipment has already delivered to Helendgik from Austria. The two-chair cable-way of 1400-meter long will start from the point near the newly built bus station. The terminal will be on the slope of Markotkhsky Ridge on the height of 582 meters above the sea level. The carrying capacity of the facility is planned to be 716 people an hour. Later on, a skating ring is to be constructed on the upper ground, the lower one will be converted into film-showing and concert hall. The third stage of the cable-way project provides for creation of artificial mountain-skiing track, equipping horse-back routes with modern services and utilities, and opening of mounting cycle hiring station. 
www.yuga.ru 

February 16th, 2004
Moscow authorities intend to pull down the Rossiya Hotel
A car park with a capacity of as much as several thousands of cars is supposed to be built on the place where one of the world biggest hotels has been existing for about 40 years. A large car-park is supposed to assist in solving a traffic-jam problem that nowadays has become urgent in the capital over-saturated with cars. The hotel, located in the very centre of Moscow, was put into operation in 1967. The project on pulling down the Rossiya Hotel may become the most large-scale undertaking of the sort. 
www.newsru.com 

February 16th, 2004 
Moscow awaits chess players from all over the world
It will be for the third time that the international chess tournament AEROFLOT-OPEN to take place in Moscow on February 16 to 25. The tournament organizers are the Moscow Tourism Committee, Association of Chess Federations, Russias Chess Federation, and AiroflotRussian Airlines air carrier. This year, over 600 chess players, with more than 160 grand masters among them, from 53 countries will take part in the event. 
www.tpnews.ru 

February 14th, 2004
Kuban determines ways for tourism industry further development
Managers of the Kuban largest health resorts have summed up the results of operation of the tourism industry in the year 2003 and outlined prospects for the new season. Participants of the tourism coordination council held in Sochi determined the two major economic "control sticks" to manage the industry development, which are quality of services rendered and price policy. To increase the inflow of holidaymakers to the local resorts is planned to achieve by way of reducing accommodation cost and improving the service. In the course of his meeting with President V. Putin held in Moscow A. Tkachyov, governor of the Krasnodar Territory and head of the Resort and Tourism Coordination Council, discussed creation of free economic zone along the Black-and-Azov seashore and introducing preferential system for construction of health-improving resort entities.
www.yuga.ru 

February 9th, 2004
Widely celebrated Pancake Week realized in Russian folk shows and Olympic traditions
Its for the third time that Moscow invites everyone who wishes to celebrate the Broad Pancake Week holiday to be celebrated on February 16 to 22. The major merry-making events will be developed in the Pancake Town on the Vasilievsky Slope near the Kremlin. A lot of attractions, games, competitions, concerts, round dances, skating, and, surely, tasting of pancakes cooked by Russian recipes await the guests. Since Moscow is a city-candidate for holding the 2012 Olympic Games, all the festive events will be in the form of combination of Russian folklore and Olympic traditions. For the whole week the Olympic Fire will be blazing on a huge frying pan. In the evening February 18 a competitive selection of the best "pancakers " will take place on the Vasilievsky Slope. A heap of pancakes as high as 15 meters is planned to be baked. According to Grigory Antyufeyev, head of the Moscow Tourism Committee,
the capital hopes with good reason that in some two or three years celebration of the Pancake Week will surpass such well-known and widely celebrated in the world holidays as the Rio de Janeiro Carnival or Beer Festival held in Germany. Inauguration of the holiday will take place on February 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Basils Cathedral. 
www.tpnews.ru 

February 6th, 2004
Moscow investors build hotels in Uglich
In the Yaroslavl Region Uglich comes second after the regional capital in number of tourists visiting the region. Only for the last year over 150 thousand guests came there. Now, Moscow investors have been interested in the city. Construction of a 60-bed hotel has started on the Volga riverside. There is another project a three-star hotel, the Gostiny Dvor, for more people to accommodate. 
www.tpnews.ru 

February 6th, 2004
"Russia" and "Pulkovo" amalgamated 
February 3 there was a meeting of managerial people of federal air company Pulkovo and A. Neradko, head of the National Civil Aviation Service, I. Klebanov, plenipotentiary representative of RF President in the north-western district, and V. Matviyenko, governor of St. Petersburg. Decision of the RF Government on amalgamation of Pulkovo and state transport company Russia was announced at the meeting. In accordance with the decision a united federal air company, Airport Pulkovo, has been set up. The airport property of the newly established entity has been determined. 
www.tpnews.ru 

February 5th, 2004
New tourist route to go through the Nizhni Novgorod Region in 2005
In December, 2003, an agreement was signed between the Moscow, Ryazan, Vladimir, and Nizhni Novgorod Regions on cooperation in the framework of the "Small Golden Ring" programme. Tourists will get acquainted with art crafts in Russian provinces. Modern hotel complexes are planned to be built additionally in some of these cities. For those who prefer to combine sightseeing tours with active holidaymaking (say, hunting or fishing) more than dozen cottages are planned to be constructed in Semyonovo settlement during the next two years. 
www.tpnews.ru 

February 5th, 2004
A German businessman is looking for a place to built a tourist centre
One of German businessmen, who visited Ekaterinburg last October as an accompanying person in the course of Gerhard Schroders visit to Russia, intends to invest in construction of the International Tourism Centre to be established in Krasnoufimsk district of the Sverdlovsk Region. It is in this district that the regional authorities recommended the businessman to realize the project since there are no hazardous works on its territory. Besides, the area has unique natural resources. Other villages of the Region, such as Nizhserginskoye, Ust-Mash, Mariibskiye Klyuchi, and the settlement of Sarana pretend to the tourist centre with a Euro-standard hotel, motorway and car park to be constructed on their territories. 
www.tpnews.ru

February 4th, 2004
Anchor airline starts to fly to CIS countries
In February this air company in Chelyabinsk city opens a new regular flight from Domodedovo Moscow airport to Kishinyov city (capital of Moldova). Besides, very soon a regular flight on ChelyabinskTashkent (Uzbekistan) route is planned to be launched. 
www.uralpressinform.ru 

February 4th, 2004
Sibir airline started implementation of German programme
More than 50 flights a week will be carried out to six German cities just in the height of the summer season. Sibir airline increases the rate of flights from Novosibirsk, Omsk, and Barnaul cities to Hanover and Frankfurt-on-Main that have become traditional. Also, regular direct flights from west-Siberian cities will be scheduled in a number of new directions: from Omsk, Barnaul, and Novosibirsk to Munich and from Kemerovo to Hanover. 
www.tpnews.ru

February 3rd, 2004
"Zimniada" to be an international brand
President of Russia, upper officials of Russia's Government, and representatives of the large-scale business are to be invited to the Second International Baikal Festival "Zimniada 2004" (the word zimniada is derivation from "winter season" in Russian) to be held in late February. Boris Govorin, governor of Irkutsk, believes that this exclusive project must rank on a par with the Baikal Economic Forum. "The first-rank state officials must be aware of the event, and not only Russian residents but as many as possible foreigners might be as well to participate in it," he said. Over five thousand people will take part in the Festival. Eight expeditions, diving and fishing trip will be arranged for participants. Groups from Japan, Switzerland, Mongolia are expected to come. Presentation of Zimniada has already held in London, Jokohama, and Moscow. 
www.regnum.ru 

January 30th, 2004
Ancient Slavonic settlement to be an open-air museum
The first "museum of living history" is being created in the Novgorod Region. The museum centre "Slavonic village of the 10-th century" will be allocated in the Novgorod-region settlement of Lyubytino, in the Msta River side. For the last ten years Russian archaeologists dug an ancient settlement of the Slavs there. The major museum exposition is supposed to be under the open air. Fragments of ancient peoples dwelling, cult constructions, workshops of crafts traditional in the 10th century, such as pottery production and forging will be shown to tourists. 
www.tpnews.ru

January 5th, 2004
Governor to improve the city   
"In the big picture, we see our task as doing everything necessary to turn St. Petersburg into a city with a European standard of living. That means a European quality of life for citizens, developing business, creating fertile conditions to attract investment, European standards for civic rights and freedoms, freedom of the press, and more," Matviyenko said. 
Developing and fostering the city's industrial potential," is the key to developing St. Petersburg, the governor said. High technologies would play a key role. 
St. Petersburg can compete in the areas of education, the sciences, tourism and culture, the governor said. 
http://petersburgcity.com 


January 5th, 2004 
Morgan State University Choir to give a solo concert as the Arts Square festival finale
Baltimore's top-notch Morgan State University Choir, invited by Juri Temirkanov to perform at the Fifth International Winter Festival Arts Square, will give a solo concert as the festival finale, on the Christmas Eve January 7. The program of the concert that will be held in the Grand Hall of Saint-Petersburg State Philharmonia includes folk songs, spirituals and show tunes. 
The Morgan State University Choir, one of the nation's most prestigious university choral ensembles, has been led for the past 30 years by conductor Nathan Carter. The Choir's repertoire spans several centuries and includes classical, gospel, and contemporary popular music. It is also noted for its emphasis on preserving the heritage of the spiritual, especially in the historic practices of performance. 
http://petersburgcity.com 

January 5th, 2004
Politics-2003: At the Brink or on the Way?
When glasses clink and the chimes of the new year ring, everyone dreams of a richer, more successful year ahead. As we see out the old year and welcome in the new, let us recall the events and issues of 2003. . . 
Clearly, the old year was rich in big political events, both domestically and in terms of foreign policy. It all began with the preparations for the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg, Russia's Northern Capital. The Jubilee became a grand political event at the highest level. The City on the Neva welcomed the leaders of the Group of Eight and top officials of the European Union, NATO and the UN. For Russia's political and business elites, it was a welcome chance to meet foreign counterparts.
http://www.rosbaltnews.com 


January 5th, 2004
Moscow metro (subway) recognized to be the greatest sightseeing in the world
MSNBC Internet portal has published a list of ten spots worth seeing during ones life. Its curious that the Moscow metro has come into the list. Mayakovskaya, Kievskaya, and Komsomolskaya are the stations to be seen without fail. Besides, Golden City, Jaisalmer, in India, Competition of Highlanders festival held in Scotland, Way of Giants in Northern Ireland, natural and historical preserve, Hanoi restaurant Cha Ca La Vong where special-recipe dishes are cooked, lagoon Chuuk in Micronesia where the world biggest "cemetery" of sunken ships is on the ocean floor, park El Questro in Australia, the largest motorcycle race in Stergise city (USA), market in La Pas, capital of Bolivia, and Caribbean Sea near Tobago Island where one swim together with giant cramp-fishes are included in the list of greatest sights.
http://www.tpnews.ru 

January 5th, 2004
Few hotels finished race to open by May
Only three of the dozens of hotels slated to open in time for the city's 300th anniversary have opened. Even such a slow pace is revolutionary for this market. In addition to the big names, the city also gained 20 new mini-hotels. 
The 230-room, three-star Dostoyevskaya Hotel that opened at 19 Vladimirsky Prospect in early December cost around $20 million. The 93-room, five-star Grand Hotel Emerald at 18 Suvorovsky Prospect opened its doors at the end of October at a cost of $20 million. The Emerald is operated by Neval, a Russian company, and is part of Summit Hotels & Resorts. Reconstruction of the building at 4 Pochtamtskaya Ulitsa for a 100-room Renaissance hotel was completed in the fall. The cost of this project is estimated at $8 million. 
http://petersburgcity.com

December 15th, 2003
Russian Government approved agreement providing
easier reciprocal trips of Russian and German citizens
The agreement is aimed at creating favorable conditions for development and making easier of youth exchange, and mutual contacts between officials, businessmen, and workers of culture, education, and sport. In particular, the document provides for issuing visas to citizens of Germany on the base of applications put in by Russia's ministries, regional administrations (RF administrative subjects), and Russia's Chamber of Commerce to visa-executing authorities without invitations required by Article 16 of the Law (On legal status of foreigners in the Russian Federation). Permissibility of longer uninterrupted staying in Russia as compared with the one legally allowed is provided for multiple visa owners. The agreement will temporarily be in use from January 1, 2004. It is to be a module agreement in preparation of similar documents with other Shengen zone countries. 
www.rosbalt.ru  


December 15th, 2003
Getting Japanese visa by post
Mr. Masakhito Saito, Japanese consul, has a meeting in Irkutsk with heads of the Departments of Internal Affairs and Passport-and-Visa Services of the city and the region. According to Saito, recently the Baikal has become especially interesting for Japanese travelers. Since the beginning of the year, over a thousand Japanese residents have visited the Irkutsk Region. In the course of the meeting the consul stated that the enter visa issuing procedure to Russian residents wishing to make trips to Japan had been simplified. It will take only four days to get a visa if an applicant sends his/her documents by post or fax. The visa is valid for three months. 
www.tpnews.ru 

December 12th, 2003
British Airways to sign agreement with Russian air-carriers
Daniel Burkard, British Airways East Europe regional commercial director, said that his airline is planning to sign a bilateral agreement on cooperation with Russian companies Ankor, Samara, and Domodedovo Airlines. According to the agreement, all ticket offices of the mentioned Russian air-carriers get the right to sell tickets for British Airways flights. At the same time, tickets for flights of the Russian airlines will be sold out throughout the British Airways network, more than in 150 points of the world. Similar agreements British Airways has already signed with Kras-Air, Tranair, and YuTair. Besides, British Airways intends to launch London Ekaterinburg flight in 2004. 
www.tpnews.ru 

December 11th, 2003
China is interested in cooperation with Russias Far East 
The China's authorities suggested the Far-Eastern region of Russia that a bipartite tourism forum should be held. Representatives from the Tourism Committee of the Primorie Territory attended the 6-th International Ski Festival held in the province of Heilungdjan. The Khabarovsk Territory, Amur and Chita Regions, as well as representatives from the Koreas travel industry also took part in the event. Places of interest in Heilungdjan that can be attractive for travelers in winter season were shown to the guests from Russia. Presentation of tour products also took place. The Russian party was suggested that a mutual tourism forum should be held in Harbin in June, 2004, to discuss the ways to develop cooperation in tourism between the province of Heilungdjan and the Russia's Far East.
www.data.ru

December 8th, 2003
Divo-Island offers winter-season entertainments
Divo(Wonder)-Island, the largest in St. Petersburg park of entertainment and relaxation, has been built as a united infrastructure. At any season a visitor will find here over 25 side-shows, more than 30 theme games, various shows, cafes where a rich choice of dishes is offered, since, unlike other entertainment centres, Divo-Island is open all year round. The park meets the highest European standards.
www.tpnews.ru

December 8th, 2003
Fundamentals of tour-business to be taught to senior pupils in Russian schools
Throughout Russia schoolchildren will have an opportunity to get knowledge in tour-business free. Over 300 schools have been involved into the Tourism & Traveling programme of which the Achievements of Young People project provides for teaching the subject. To date, more than 1000 senior pupils from 30 schools of Moscow and St. Petersburg have got knowledge and practical skills in tourism & travelling industry.
www.tpnews.ru

December 5th, 2003
Russia and Italy prepare for signing agreement on peoples reciprocal trips
Foreign Ministries of Russia and Italy are ready to start negotiations on signing an agreement between governments of the two countries on simplification of rules for traveling of Russian and Italian citizens to each of the countries. The agreement is supposed to provide easier rules of issuing multiple long-term (for several years) visas to representative of legislative and executive-power bodies, outstanding workers of science, culture, and members of teaching staffs.
www.visas.ru 

December 4th, 2003
New image of Aeroflot conveys impression of cordiality and hospitality
On December 5, the central television launches a new promotional-image campaign initiated by Aeroflot Russia Airlines, JSC. The campaign is to be an important step in implementation of Aeroflot's re-branding project. It is aimed at changing the company's positioning. The key values the company is going to base its policy on are sincerity, cordiality and hospitality which should underline the fundamental improvements in servicing the airline has implemented.
www.tpnews.ru

December 3rd, 2003
Trip from Ekaterinburg to Chelyabinsk takes only 4 hours
On December 1, a new fast electric train (No. 874/875 ) of higher comfort started running between Ekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk. The launching of the train has been dated to opening of the practical scientific conference ?Transport Strategy of Russia held in Moscow.
www.tpnews.ru

December 3rd, 2003
More trains to run to south of Russia during New Years holidays
More than 10 additional long-distance passenger trains will be scheduled on the routes of the North-Caucasian Railway for the period from December 21, 2003, to January 12, 2004. These additional trains will run on the Moscow - Kislovodsk, MoscowAdler, MoscowNovorosisk, and Moscow - Anapa routes which are most popular in Christmas and New Years holidays.
www.tpnews.ru

December 1st, 2003
Russian President calls upon to better protection of antiquities