Crimea plans tourism future as industry experts gather

MOSCOW, April 24 (Itar-Tass) - Tourist trade specialists gathered in Crimea on Thursday to map out a thriving new industry for the peninsula. Resort development, health centres, ecological tourism and children's facilities are in the sights of around 150 sector professionals and state corporation officials, the Russian Culture Ministry’s press service said. Operators assembled from across Russia's regions ahead of seminars, peninsula tours, hotel inspections and visits to sanatoriums in Feodosia, Koktebel, Sudak, Novy Svet, Alushta and Yalta. They met to plan promotion of Crimea on domestic and foreign tourism markets, improvement of personnel training for the industry and its integration into Russian legislation, the culture ministry said. Local innovation looks to introduce package tours, offering travel tickets, airport transfers, medical insurance and accommodation. Crimean Minister of Resorts and Tourism Yelena Yurchenko said a 10-day stay with medical treatment in a Crimean sanatorium costs about 13,500 roubles ($378) per person. From July to mid-September, the cost would be 1,800 roubles (about $50) a day per person. Total price for 10 days with an air ticket would be about 25,500 roubles ($715). Currently, guests pay 1,000 roubles ($28) per day in a mid-range hotel with buffet breakfast and free use of beach, swimming pool and gymnasium. Agreements on co-operation and contracts between operators are due to be signed at a final meeting on April 26. Learn more on itar-tass.com