On the Trail of Nousija Karelians – New Nature Tourism Products from the Republic of Karelia
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to map two water regions by using Finnish and Russian cooperation and to prepare two new nature and cultural travel routes for tourists. In addition, direct contacts were to be made between entrepreneurs in the Lieksa area and the Mujejärvi region.

Main activities

• Organisation of three mapping trips to the Republic of Karelia in order to assess the general travel conditions and suitability of the terrain and water-ways for water-based excursions • Organisation of negotiation trips to Mujejärvi, Lentiira and Petrozavodsk, • Obtaining historical information from Petrozavodsk State University regarding the activity area, conducting research on the waterway planning and water flow rates of the Mujejärvi region at the Northern Water Problems Institute • Organisation of a trial trip to the Tsikka Kem river for tourism entrepreneurs.

Achievements

Three mapping trips were made to the Republic of Karelia in order to assess the terrain. On one of the trips, the Tsirkka–Kemijoki waterways were mapped by travelling along two routes using a rubber raft. In addition, the roadways within range of the route were assessed by land. The rapids, campsites and obstacles that disrupt travel were mapped and the general travel conditions and suitability for water-based excursions were assessed along the routes. On the second trip, the ‘Rukajärven tie’ tourism product was mapped by driving along the roadways on the east and west sides of Lake Lieksajärvi and by assessing the general condition for travel and mapping the undrivable sections and other obstacles. The routes were stored in a GPS recording device. On the third mapping trip, for the Tiiksa–Borovoi route, the rapids, campsites and obstacles that disrupt travel were mapped and the general travel conditions and suitability for water-based excursions were assessed. The mapping trip was organised through a Russian company, Matka-Kos, which specialises in wilderness travel; journeys along the route were taken on a Russian rubberraft. This allowed the testing of the suitability and quality of local services from the perspective of a Western tourist group to be assessed. During the trip, Finnish travel service providers familiarised themselves with an exemplary Russian tourism product as well as Russian service and expertise. The visitors who took part in the trial trip provided positive feedback about the excursion, and the destinations prepared in the project were to be included in companies’ tourism product selection. The project launched a website, which presents the essential results of the project and helps companies and independent tourists prepare for trips on the new routes by providing the necessary information. The most significant North Karelian companies that offer nature excursions to Russia were integrated into the website. www.kareliaexpert.fi/fi/retket+ja+matkat/matkat+venajan+karjalaan/