ALASKA INTERESTED IN GROWTH OF TOURIST FLOW TO CHUKOTKA

MOSCOW, October 28 (RIA Novosti) - Alaska is interested in the increase of tourist flow to Chukotka, representatives of the state's authorities said at the Russian-U.S. conference Days of Beringia. This is highly important for the City Hall of Nome (Alaska), said Leonid Nikolayev, head of Chukotka's department for youth, sports and tourism affairs. The construction of the sea port worth $36 million was recently completed in Nome. "Therefore, the expenses should be paid off. Nome is the closest place to Chukotka and it would be more convenient for Alaska tourists to come here," Mr. Nikolayev said. In his words, Nome's City Hall is going to ask Alaska's senator to appeal to the Russian Foreign Ministry for the simplification of visa regulations for Alaska residents, the web site of the Regnum information agency reports.

The Days of Beringia first scientific-practical conference was held in the Anchorage museum of arts and history on November 5-6 1997. It was organized by the U.S. National Parks Service. Chukotka has participated in the forum from the very beginning. Conference participants, scientists, culture figures and tourism experts from the United States and Russia discuss preservation of the unique cultural and natural legacy of the ancient continent Beringia separated by the Bering Strait. Moreover, they consider possibilities of cultural and economic cooperation between Chukotka and Alaska, in particular, in tourism sphere.

The Days of Beringia are held every year. In 2005 they will take place in Chukotka's capital Anadyr. Chukotka was the venue of this conference for the first time in 2003.

"We expect our forum to become a real festival of Chukotka and Alaska with cultural and sporting events," said Sergei Kislyakov, head of Chukotka's culture, youth, sports, tourism and information policy department.