Tuva is working on tourism strategy

Tuva’s travel industry development priorities are ecological, cultural, event and sport tourism. Its mountain areas offer perfect opportunities for trekking, rafting and mountain-climbing. One may come across alpine meadows, snow-white yurts, crystal-blue lakes, garrulous streams, primeval taiga to name a few.

Almost every corner of Tuva has its own arjaans – the healing mineral springs. Tuvinians are one the few Russian tribes who have been able to preserve their indigenous culture, language and folk holidays. Archeological sites of the region are very interesting as well. Tuva is a cradle of ancient nomadic cultures such as Scythian, Turkic and Hun-Sarmatian. The region has been included in the UNESCO’s list of the environmentally safest places on the planet, along with Amazon rain-forests. All this is a magnet for foreign tourists. “About 60% of foreign visitors have no connection to business travel – revealed the Head of the republic’s tourism department Mr. Alexander Li – mostly they come from USA and Europe. Tourists from China and Japan express their interest. They are attracted by Buddhism, Shamanism and the fact that Tuva lies at the very center of Asia”. And indeed the “Center of Asia” obelisk stands in Kyzyl on the bank of Yenisey River.

Mr. Li said that the Economy Ministry’s Tourism Department has been established merely four months ago. Today its staff is working on the region’s tourism development strategy up to 2018. So far the republic doesn’t have large-scale tourism projects that could entitle it to be the part to federal tourism development program. Tuva lies very far from major tourist flows. The nearest large international airport is in Abakan – 450 km away from the capital city of Kyzyl. “Nevertheless we are going to feature our republican program in other economic projects on federal level” – added Mr. Li. 

Our short-range plans include creation of the “Aldyn Bulat” Ethno-cultural Complex on a scenic spot some 45 km outside Kyzyl, where one will be able to get to know Tuvinian culture. The 40 million roubles project will be funded by the local budget. Alexander Li also revealed that the plot of land in Krasnoyarsk region’s “Yergaki” National Park has been allocated for constructing of the Tuva-style hotel complex that is scheduled to open in 2012. The Republic’s treasury is to spend another 50 million roubles on this project.